Mustangs fall in ninth to No. 2 Pilots

SHREVEPORT, La.– While the Mustangs were able to even things up in the ninth inning against No. 2 LSU-Shreveport Wednesday afternoon, Morningside fell short 7-6 in an elimination game of the Shreveport bracket of the NAIA Tournament.

After Eddie Brancato singled home a runner to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning, the Pilots responded with a run in the bottom of the ninth to win the game.

The scoring got started in the first inning, as both teams recorded RBI-triples to get on the board. Alex Calabrese tripled in the top of the first to bring in the Mustangs' run. The Pilots scored a run in the bottom of the first and added three more in the bottom of the second.

Nick Grajeda and Ryan Kiolbassa each drove in a run on a fielder's choice in the fourth to make it a one-run game. The Mustangs carried the momentum into the fifth inning, where Jayson Willers singled in a run and Aiden Bishop brought in a run on an error. 

The Pilots regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth to lead 6-5 before the Mustangs evened the score in the ninth.

Cade Nolan got the start on the mound, pitching five innings and striking out four. Logan Warkentin and Josh Thurman pitched in relief. 

Brian Garcia, Calabrese and Bishop tallied two hits each for the Mustang offense. 

Morningside's season comes to a close with a 37-18 record.