TUCSON, Ariz. - Dylan Kopesky got to play the role of hero Friday night, delivering a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th, giving the Gustavus baseball team a dramatic 7-6 comeback victory over Linfield. The Gusties remain unbeaten at 7-0 this season.
Linfield landed the first blow with a two-run double in the opening frame, but the Gusties punched right back in the bottom half with four runs.
Drake Siens led off with a solo blast over the left field fence and after
Chris Knowles reached on an error,
Danny Gavin sent one over the center field fence for a 3-2 lead.
Brady Schmitz later reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a triple by
Luke Siegle.
Pitching took over for the next three innings until the Wildcats took a 5-4 lead in the fifth after consecutive run scoring doubles. The Gusties were quick to respond in the bottom half as
Sam Schneider led off with a walk and later scored on a double by Gavin.
Jacob Weckop ended his day on the mound after five quality innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts.
Brevin Goetz entered the game in the sixth and took control, striking out nine of 13 batters faced through the ninth inning without allowing a hit.
Tied 5-5 in the bottom of the ninth, Schneider started a rally with a leadoff single and advanced to scoring position on a groundout.
Daniel Dahl entered as a pinch runner for Schneider and Knowles ensueed with a double to right, but Dahl was gunned down at home trying to win the game. The Wildcats then got out of the jam with an inning-ending groundout, sending the game to extras.
Linfield took a one-run lead in the 10th after a one-out double came around on consecutive singles, but
Sam Baker limited the damage and got out of the jam with a strikeout and pop out. Once again, the Gusties had an answer as Schmitz led off the 10th with a double and advanced to third on an error. Two batters later, Siegle doubled to right, scoring Schmitz to tie the game. With two outs and the winning run on second, Kopesky stepped to the plate and delivered a game-winning RBI single up the middle.
Gavin (2-3. R. 3 RBI, 2B, HR, 2 BB) and Siegle (2-5, R, 2 RBI, 2B, 3B) led the Gusties at the plate as Baker earned the mound win after tossing the 10th with a pair of strikeouts. Weckop, Goetz, and Baker combined for 18 strikeouts.
Gustavus continues play in Tucson on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader against Rockford University.
