Morningside Scores 10 in Waldorf Wins

FOREST CITY, Iowa – Morningside Baseball gave itself a strong start in this year's series with Waldorf, sweeping today's twinbill 5-4 and 5-1. The series closes with another doubleheader tomorrow.

The Mustangs took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning as Jacob O'Dell coaxed a bases-loaded walk, bringing in Michael Delzell. 

Conner Maston extended the lead in the third inning when he launched a home run over the outfield wall, giving the Mustangs a 2-0 advantage. Waldorf would tie the game in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs. 

The Mustangs got two more runs in the fifth inning, when a Hayden Hixon leadoff double set the table for Morningside's offense. Ian Thomas would take over at second base for the catcher, advancing on a groundout by Delzell. Maston was intentionally walked and stole second as Romani Perez stood at the plate. 

Perez delivered, as he has many times this season, putting a single in play and scoring both Thomas and Maston before Waldorf turned a double play to end the inning. 

Waldorf scored a run in both the fifth and sixth innings, tying the game and putting the pressure back on Morningside in the top of the inning, bringing Mason King to the plate. King took a strike before getting three consecutive balls, the third of which got too close and sent him to first base. King stole second and advanced to third on a fielding error, when Perez launched a fly ball, allowing King to tag up and score. 

Sam Hanson retook the mound after recording two outs in the sixth inning, collecting the win as Morningside's defense was able to put up another zero. Hanson gave up three hits in his scoreless appearance, striking out one. Cade Nolan started the contest, giving up one earned run and five hits with five strikeouts in five innings.

The Mustangs worked quickly again in the second contest, with Maston hitting another solo home run to put Morningside on the board first. 

In the second inning, Kade Yasui singled before taking second on a wild pitch. Connor Woods moved Yasui, and O'Dell who reached after getting hit by a pitch, into scoring position, where Kentaro Felton scored Yasui on a sacrifice fly. Waldorf scored its lone run in the bottom of the frame.

Morningside added a crooked number in the fifth inning, scoring three runs as Felton singled, with Thomas coming in to run for the catcher. Jaxon Bunkers reached after being hit by a pitch, and both runners advanced as Thomas stole third ahead of a Delzell walk. Maston added two bases to his total, scoring Bunkers and Thomas, and Perez grounded out, scoring Delzell in the process.

Kai Purdy-Burton added another win to his season record, advancing to 4-1, as he threw 5.1 innings with five hits, one run, and six strikeouts. Mason Rego took over for the final 1.2 innings, striking out one batter while allowing no hits or runs.

Morningside will go for the sweep of the season series tomorrow, with the day's first game beginning at noon.