Morningside forges split with GPAC leader

CRETE, NEB. – A massive sixth-inning comeback sent Morningside University past Doane University in road league action Saturday, April 16.

The Mustangs, trailing the host and league-leading Tigers 7-3 going into the top of the sixth, put together five hits to score five tallies for an 8-7 advantage. Senior relief pitching standout Jordan Kyle (Lake Park, Iowa) shut the door on a home team, retiring all six batters he faced with three strikeouts.

The brunt of the game one comeback at DU's Ballfield Complex was registered with timely visiting hitting. Freshman third baseman Andrew O'Dell (Northridge, Calif.) drove in two with a double, giving head coach Adam Boeve's team the lead. He was preceded by a pair of run-scoring singles from senior outfielder Hunter Hope (Sioux City, Iowa) and freshman catcher Jayson Willers (Davenport, Iowa), and an RBI sacrifice fly from sophomore second baseman Eddie Brancato (Arlington Heights, Ill.).

Boeve's crew took a strong bid at a sweep, opening up a 2-0 lead through three and a half. However, Doane answered with two in the third and broke up the 2-2 deadlock with three in the seventh for a 5-2 victory. The home team bullpen was nearly untouchable, surrendering only two hits over the final four innings.

Morningside (23-13 overall, 10-10 GPAC) closed within a game of Briar Cliff University in the loss column for fourth place. Winners of six of their last eight, they step out of conference action for the final time in the regular season Tuesday, April 19. They travel to Peru State University for a 1 p.m. twin bill.