Ethan Gustafson Flashes Power Against Embry-Riddle

The Nelson Warriors' baseball team (3-9) dropped both ends of a tough doubleheader against the Embry-Riddle Eagles at home this weekend, falling 6-5 in Game 1 and 9-5 in Game 2, despite multiple rallies and power displays that kept both contests competitive until the late innings.

Game 1: Embry-Riddle 6, Nelson 5
In game one, the Eagles jumped on the Warriors early, plating four runs in the bottom of the second inning, before adding two more in the fifth to stretch the advantage to 6-0. Yet, Nelson refused to fold.

The comeback began in the bottom of the fifth when Jimmy Holloway singled in Josue Franco Jr. with the bases loaded to get the Warriors on the board at 6-1. However, the real surge came in the seventh: Holloway drew a leadoff walk, Sam Hess followed with a single to left, and Ethan Gustafson stepped to the plate in a pivotal spot. Gustafson delivered the big blow when he blasted a towering three-run homer to center field that pulled Nelson within 6-4 and injected life into the dugout.

Having breathed new life, the Warriors kept pressing. Adrian Nunez singled immediately after the homer, Shae Doree walked, and Franco Jr. was hit by a pitch to load the bases with only one out. Unfortunately, Aaron Bazan grounded into a double play to end the threat in what would ultimately be the last best chance of the game. Despite the heartbreak, Nelson showed their Warriors spirit throughout.

Matthew Schulz paced the offense with a season-high three hits, bumping his batting average to .333. Sam Hess added two hits in five at-bats, while Gustafson's homer provided the loudest moment of the first game.

Game 2: Embry-Riddle 9, Nelson 5 (7 innings)
The nightcap started with promise. After Embry-Riddle scored in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead, Ethan Gustafson answered emphatically in the bottom half—crushing his second home run of the day, a two-run shot that drove in Manny Bracamont and gave Nelson a 2-1 advantage. Bracamont now has a team-high four home runs on the early season.

But the lead was short-lived. The Eagles tied the game in the top of the third, then erupted for six runs in the fourth (all nine batters came to the plate, highlighted by two two-run home runs) to bust the game open at 9-2.

Nelson chipped away with single runs in the fifth (Adrian Nunez sac fly), sixth (Josue Franco Jr. hit by a pitch with runners in scoring position), and seventh (Bracamont single), but could never close the gap fully in the seven-inning contest.

Working to keep the game close for their battery mates, the bullpen shone late as Esteban Acevedo, Colton Ratfield, and Santiago Rosado combined for 3.1 masterful innings out of the pen, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk on a highly efficient 44 total pitches, keeping the game close and the opportunities to score meaningful.

See the Nelson Warriors' baseball page for their upcoming schedule.

Do not forget to follow Nelson Athletics on X at @NelsonWarriors and Instagram at @nelsonwarriors.athletics.