Mustangs split season opening games in Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Morningside softball program kicked off the 2023 season indoors at the Presentation Dome in Aberdeen, South Dakota Friday.

The Mustangs got the season off on the right foot with a 12-2 win over Presentation before a 9-1 loss against NCAA Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead. 

The bats were on fire in the season opener as Morningside tallied seven hits and 12 runs in five innings. Sydney Petersen had a double and a home run in the opener, driving in two runs. Morgan Nixon hit a home run and drove in three runs. Vanessa Bohuslavsky tallied two hits and drove in three runners. Kennedee Jones doubled and brought in a runner. Ellie Cropley added a hit and Mykel Ann Gray and Ellie Gengler brought in runs.

In the circle for game one, Grace Buffington gave up two runs in first inning before pitching four shutout innings after. She struck out five over five innings.

In the second game of the day, Morningside slipped to MSU-Moorhead 9-1. Sydney Petersen doubled and Ellie Gengler scored the lone run for the Mustangs. Mykel Ann Gray, Morgan Nixon and Taylor Richter added base knocks. Jordan Skradski took the loss in the circle. 

The Mustangs continue play in Aberdeen Saturday, taking on Northern State at 10 a.m. and Valley City State at 12:30 p.m.