Maston, key pitching spark Mustangs in home sweep

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Patience has been a trait that Conner Maston has developed over the last year. On Saturday, it paid off in a big way.

Maston hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the eighth inning to lift the Morningside baseball team to a 4-1 win in Game 2, completing a sweep of Briar Cliff after a 3-1 victory in Game 1.

Maston got behind in the count, but fouled off two fastballs that he sprayed the opposite way. He knew that he was going to get an offspeed pitch sooner rather than later, and once he saw a curveball come his way in the strike zone, the Lynnville-Sully High School grad took it over the left field wall.

"I was able to take advantage of it, and once I hit it out, all I was thinking was to touch home (plate)," Maston said. "I was happy to get the job done for my team. The whole day — you have to give Briar Cliff credit, too — it all starts with trying to get on with what's there."

Maston's homer was his team-high 11th of the season and his fourth of the week dating back to the Waldorf series. He is hitting .455 with nine RBIs during that stretch.

Maston's moment also marked a full-circle return after last season ended early due to a foot injury suffered while sliding into second base.

"That injury was horrible, it was the worst thing I've ever done, and I never want to go through anything like that again," Maston said. "I got back in shape and was able to come back out here and never take anything for granted. It was hard to fight back, but I credit all the people who have helped me bounce back."

Connor Woods led off the eighth inning with a single, and Jaxon Bunkers followed with a walk to set the table for Maston.

When Maston rounded third base, Morningside head coach Adam Boeve couldn't help but notice the moment.

"It's fun to see him have that type of moment like that in a big game," Boeve said. "To see him coming out having the successful season he's having, it's so fun to see. He's the kind of guy who can struggle through an at-bat but he'll make an adjustment."

Morningside's other run in Game 2 came in the first inning, as Romani Perez knocked Maston home on a sacrifice fly.

In Game 1, Kade Yasui gave the Mustangs an early two-run lead with a double that scored Jacob O'Dell and Perez. Bunkers later added an RBI single in the fourth inning.

Pitching set the tone throughout the day. Cade Nolan earned his fifth win of the season in Game 1, allowing one earned run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. Sam Hanson closed the rest of the win out to earn his fourth save. Both Nolan and Hanson struck out seven Chargers.

Kai Purdy-Burton followed with 6 1/3 strong innings in Game 2, allowing one run on three hits. Mason Rego earned the win in relief.

"Those four guys really pitched well today," Boeve said. "Mason is a pitcher who really trusts his stuff and throws right in the zone. As long as he keeps his competitive nature, those are guys who will continue to succeed. He's not predictable, but he comes right at you."

Both wins came at East High School's baseball field, the new home for Mustangs baseball, marking the program's first true home games of the season.

"That was probably the best part of the day," Boeve said. "It's a great feeling to be in this new field. Our guys have battled through not having a field to practice or play on. To finally get a ballpark to play in, that'll change the way we prepare for games. To come out with two wins, it's an incredible feeling. We're really excited to be here."