COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - For the first time in program history, Gustavus baseball has won the MIAC playoff championship after a thrilling 11-9 victory over Bethel on Saturday. The Gusties (36-7) advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time and will find out who, when, and where they will play in the regional round during the NCAA selection show on Monday morning.
Gustavus wasted little time taking a lead in the title game, scoring twice in the first.
Danny Gavin led off with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a groundout by
Brayden Kohls, and scored on a double to center by
Luke Siegle. After a
Drake Siens walk,
Joe Burns singled to left center to score Siegle.
The Royals quickly answered in the second after two singles, a walk, and a sac fly to tie the game 2-2. Bethel then gained a 3-2 lead in the third after two more hits and another sac fly.
The Gusties took the lead for good in the fourth after Burns reached on fielder's choice,
Ross Hebel singled, and
Isaac Becker ensued with a mammoth three-run homer over the left field fence. Four more runs were scored in the fifth for a 9-3 lead. Hebel hit a sac fly and Gavin cleared the bases for a three-run double up the middle.
Gustavus tacked on two more insurance runs in the seventh, which proved to be crucial later in the game. Kohls and
Chris Knowles hit back-to-back RBI singles for a comfortable 11-3 advantage. The comfort level gradually became less comfortable, though, as the Royals plated three runs in the eighth, three more in the ninth, and had the tying run on second base, but
Luke Siegle, in a relief role, got the final out on a groundout to secure the victory.
Brevin Goetz pitched four innings in a no-decision, allowing three earned runs on four hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Jackson Thielen earned the win in 3.1 innings of relief, improving to 4-1. He allowed three earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts.
Michael Prosch tossed 1.1 innings of relief and Siegle earned his first career save by getting the final out.
Burns and Knowles led at the plate. Burns went 3-for-5 with two runs and a run batted in, while Knowles hit 3-for-5 with an RBI. Becker had three RBI with his fourth homer of the season and was walked three times.
