Snyder, Maston lead Mustangs to win over Columbia

BRANSON, Mo. — The Morningside baseball team split its pair of games Saturday, beating Columbia (Mo.) 3-1, then falling 1-0 to host College of the Ozarks.

Morningside (3-1) scored its three runs against Columbia late in the seven-inning game, with two in the fourth and one during the fifth. Michael Snyder, who was the designated hitter, was involved in both fourth-inning runs.

He first drove in Jacob O'Dell on an RBI single, then when on base, he scored while advancing to third base on a throwing error.

During the fifth inning, Jaxon Bunkers added a third run with an RBI single that scored Nathan Thomas.

The Mustangs collected six hits, and O'Dell had two. O'Dell, Snyder, and Luke Blackmon each hit a double.

Connor Maston earned the win Saturday on the mound. In 4 2/3 innings, he allowed one earned run on four hits. The Lynnville-Sully High School alum struck out 10 batters, and he surrendered just one walk.

Sam Hanson threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two baserunners while striking out a pair.

Later in the afternoon, the Bobcats held the Mustangs to two hits. Michael Delzell hit a single, while Kade Yasui doubled.

The pitching trio of Tiago Sanchez, Rhys Fairweather, and Zach Neer combined to allow one run on four hits. The three collectively struck out eight hitters and walked two.

The Mustangs' next weekend trip starts Fri., Feb. 13 and 14 in Kansas City, as they'll play a four-game series against Mount Mercy.