SAINT PETER, Minn. - The Beloit College baseball team showcased their resilience and offensive firepower but ultimately fell to a tough Gustavus Adolphus squad, falling 7-5 in a closely contested matchup at Gustie Baseball Field. Despite out-hitting their opponents 12 to 11, the Buccaneers (30-15) couldn't overcome key innings from the Gusties (37-7).

Beloit struck first in the top of the opening frame. Seth Brankey (Salem, Wis.) led off with a single to center field and advanced to second on a groundout to the third basemen off the bat of Jack Alport (Arlington Heights, Ill.). Connor Vogel (Palmdale, Calif.) then delivered an RBI single to right, giving the Buccaneers an early 1-0 lead.

Gustavus Adolphus answered back in the bottom of the second, plating three runs, fueled by a two-run homer and aided by a Beloit error, to take a 3-1 advantage. The Gusties extended their lead to 4-1 in the third with a solo home run.

The Buccaneers refused to go quietly. In the top of the fourth, Nolan Tomsyck (Muskego, Wis) singled, followed by a single from Blake Nelson (Monument, CO.). Riley Ponio (Morris, Ill.) then singled to center, driving in Tomsyck and cutting the deficit to 4-2. The momentum continued for Beloit in the fifth when Miles Souza (Carpinteria, Calif.) launched a solo home run to right field, pulling the Buccaneers within one run at 4-3.

However, Gustavus Adolphus responded decisively in the bottom of the fifth, tallying three crucial runs on four hits and another Beloit error to extend their lead to 7-3.

Beloit continued to fight. In the top of the seventh, Brankey ripped a double to right center and subsequently scored on a wild pitch, making it a 7-4 game.

The Buccaneers mounted one last charge in the top of the ninth. Nelson drew a walk, and pinch-runner Parker Krcmar (Waupaca, Wis.) advanced to second on a single by Ponio. Krcmar then moved to third on a wild pitch. Brankey drove in Krcmar with a sacrifice fly, tightening the score to 7-5. However, the Gusties managed to secure the final outs, ending Beloit's comeback bid.

On the mound for Beloit, Erick Tiegs (Waukesha, Wis.) started and took the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits over 3.0 innings with one strikeout. Harvey Pena (Riverside, Calif.) worked 3.0 innings in relief, surrendering three earned runs on four hits while striking out three. Eamon Burke (Helena, Mont.) provided 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and walking one.

The Bucs will face a familiar foe tomorrow morning when they square off against the University of Chicago. Chicago fell in the opener 34-8 to UW-Oshkosh. First pitch tomorrow is set for 8:30 am.