Seven Mustangs earn all-conference honors

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Seven Morningside softball athletes received all-conference honors in the Great Plains Athletic Conference postseason awards.

Three seniors for Morningside were first team mentions, followed by two members on the second team, and two on the honorable mention. Infielder Morgan Nixon, outfielder Ellie Cropley and catcher Mykel Ann Gray were on first-team. 

Ellie Cropley hit for a .327 average with 38 runs scored and nine stolen bases. She now has the career records in at-bats, runs scored, and doubles. 

Morgan Nixon hit for a .374 average this season with eight home runs and 43 RBI. Nixon is the career record holder in RBI. 

Mykel Ann Gray was a workhorse behind the plate this season, and was efficient as a lead-off hitter at the plate. Gray recorded a .345 average with four home runs, 20 RBI and 26 runs scored. 

Senior infielder Sydney Petersen was a second team mention, as was sophomore pitcher Grace Buffington. 

Petersen hit for a .347 average with four home runs, 31 RBI, and 37 runs scored. The starting second baseman held a .979 fielding percentage in 237 total chances. 

In the circle, Grace Buffington was a leader for the Mustangs. Buffington started 34 games (20-7 record) for the Mustangs, tossing 191 ⅔ innings with a 2.23 ERA. Buffington struck out 104 batters and had a .220 batting average against. 

Buffington is working her way up the record books in two seasons. Her 36 wins is 10th all-time and her 56 starts is tied for 11th all-time.

In the honorable mention list, junior infielder Kennedee Jones and sophomore Ellie Gengler were included. 

Kennedee Jones hit for a .344 average with three home runs and 28 RBI. In the field, Jones recorded a .981 fielding percentage with 390 put outs this season.

Ellie Gengler was primarily a designated player this season, but made her impact known at the plate, hitting for a .260 average with two home runs and 19 RBI. In the few chances Gengler had in the field, she had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 32 chances. 

The Mustangs placed second in the regular season with a 16-6 conference record and a 33-14 record overall.