Mustangs split at Hastings

HASTINGS, Neb. – Morningside softball split a pair of games at Hastings Thursday afternoon, winning game one 2-0, but falling in game two 6-1. 

Grace Buffington shined in the circle in game one. Buffington tossed seven shutout innings, striking out seven batters and allowing two hits. She found the strike zone on 64% (60-of-94) of her pitches in the win.

At the plate, it took until the fourth inning for Morningside to score. In the top of the fourth, Sydney Petersen singled home Mykel Ann Gray. In the top of the fifth, Taylor Richter reached on an error and Ellie Gengler was able to come around and score. 

Gray doubled in the game and Ellie Cropley tallied a pair of base hits.

In game two, it was Hastings' turn to pull out the win. Hastings tallied one run in the first, third, and fifth innings, while adding three in the sixth to seal a victory. 

Petersen scored the lone run of game two in the fourth inning. Gray tallied two hits, including a double. Petersen, Kennedee Jones, Katie Murphy and Vanessa Bohuslavsky each added a base hit. 

In the circle, Morgan Secora pitched four strong innings, striking out five and giving up two runs (one earned). Buffington pitched two innings. 

Morningside returns home Saturday afternoon, taking on Dakota Wesleyan. First pitch at Jensen Softball Complex is scheduled for 1 p.m.