Morningside sweeps Flames in 'home' opener

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Weather delayed the start and forced Morningside and College of Saint Mary to play at a different field, but it didn't stop the Mustangs from sweeping the softball doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

Being played at Scheels Field at Riverside Park in Sioux City, Morningside earned an 11-1 win in game one and a 5-1 win in game two. Five innings turned out to be all that was needed in game one, as the Mustangs scored four in the first and five in the second to take an early lead. 

After the Flames scored a run in the top of the first, Morningside responded with a scoring outburst. Sydney Petersen doubled home Ellie Cropley. Morgan Nixon brought home Mykel Ann Gray and Kennedee Jones singled to bring in Petersen. The scoring in the first ended on a single from Mackenna Sidzyik to bring in Jones.

The second inning saw Gray single to bring in Cropley. Nixon singled to score Gray. Nixon scored a couple at-bats later, as Ellie Gengler hit a three-run home run to make it 9-1. Two more Mustang insurance runs came across in the fourth, as Sidzyik singled to scored Jones and Nixon.

After giving up a run in the first inning, Grace Buffington settled in to toss five innings, striking out seven batters. Sidzyik tallied three hits and three RBI in the opening win.

The Mustang offense didn't score quite as frequently in the second game of the doubleheader, but three solo home runs helped guide Morningside to a win.

In the bottom of the first, Gray hit a solo blast, followed by an RBI-single from Jones to give Morningside a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the third, Nixon flew out to centerfield, but the Flames defense was caught sleeping, allowing Cropley to score. 

The Flames tacked on a run in the fifth to make it a 3-1 Morningside lead. Nixon and Jones added solo home runs in sixth to give the Mustangs the 5-1 lead. 

Bralen Biddlecome pitched five innings, striking out five batters. Jordan Skradski added two innings of work. Jones tallied two hits and two RBI in game two.

Morningside is back in action Thursday, April 6 at Hastings. The Mustangs return home April 8 to face Dakota Wesleyan.