On April 15, the St. Olaf baseball team was looking to use its home advantage to overcome MIAC rivals Gustavus Adolphus College. The Oles certainly did that, recording a narrow 2-0 victory in game one of the doubleheader, before cruising to a 9-1 win in game two. The first win took on extra meaning for the Oles, as it gave head coach Matt McDonald his 500th career win.
Jake Mathison ’17 led the way for the Oles in game one, tossing a two-hit shutout in the 2-0 victory. His performance left the Gusties with no chance of scoring and ensured that the Oles’ two runs would be enough to secure an early victory.
Mathison struck out three, walked none as the Oles cruised to the victory in 85 minutes. St. Olaf scored in the second and third innings. Jack Schechinger ’14 doubled to lead off the second and was plated by a Dylan Porter ’14 single later in the inning. Chris Paradise ’14 doubled to lead off the third inning before Sam Maus ’14 drove him in with a base hit.
Game two proved to be much more straightforward for the Oles. Despite Gustavus finally scoring its first run of the day, the Oles piled on runs of their own, registering a 9-1 demolition. John Connell ’15 worked five innings, and Trent Friedrich ’14 kept the final four scoreless as St. Olaf completed the sweep. Nick Denn ’15 was 2-for-4 with a run and recorded a run batted in, while Sam and Tim Maus ’16 drove in two runs each. The Oles broke the 1-1 tie with three runs in the fourth inning and added two in the sixth inning.
After more games this week, the Oles now sit at 8-6 in the MIAC and 18-14 overall. They will be looking to continue their strong form when they return home to face Bethel University on April 26.
Photo Credit: HANNAH RECTOR/MANITOU MESSENGER
