Mustangs prevail in battle for third place

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – With just over a week to play in the Great Plains Athletic Conference season, Morningside's softball program took on Dordt for third place in the conference.

The doubleheader moved from Sioux City to the American State Bank Sports Complex in Sioux Center due to the weather, but the Mustangs still found a way to sweep the Defenders in their home facility. 

Morningside earned a 4-1 win in game one and a 4-0 win in game two. The Mustangs played as the home team at Dordt's indoor facility, but had no issues keeping the Defender offense in check. Grace Buffington pitched the complete game in game one, giving up a single run on a home run. Morgan Secora pitched four innings and Buffington three in game two, where Dordt was held scoreless.

In game one, Morgan Nixon's RBI-triple and Kennedee Jones' RBI-double gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead after an inning. Dordt cut the lead to one in the top of the sixth, but a two-run home run from Nixon gave the Mustangs a three-run lead with three outs to get. Sydney Petersen scored on both of Nixon's hits. Petersen went 3-for-3 in game one.

Petersen was on the batting side of the scoring in game two, hitting a two-run single in the third to give Morningside a 2-0 lead.

Ellie Cropley added to the lead with an RBI-single in the fifth and Mackenna Sidzyik grounded out, but Liz Hammer scored on the play to make it 4-0 after six innings. Cropley had two hits in game two. 

Morningside's doubleheader originally scheduled for Saturday has moved to Monday at 3 p.m. The Mustangs host Northwestern, who is first in the GPAC at 15-1 in conference play. The Mustangs' opponent Tuesday, Midland, is second in the conference at 10-2. The Mustangs are 11-3 after Friday's doubleheader.

Both series Monday and Tuesday are at Jensen Softball Complex in Sioux City. Senior Day celebrations are planned for after Monday's doubleheader against Northwestern.