Mustangs go 2-0 to Open Softball Season

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The softball season opener came to a conclusion in dramatic fashion, ending with a walkoff victory, 4-3, over Benedictine. The Mustangs followed it up with a 12-2 routing of Culver-Stockton to advance to 2-0 so far this season.

Morgan Secora got the start in the circle against Benedictine, giving up a run in the second inning. She promptly answered the Ravens with a solo home run to right center.

Secora finished the day with five innings pitched, giving up one earned run and two runs overall. 

Toeing the rubber in relief, Adeline Fliege worked for three innings against Benedictine, giving up an unearned run in the top of the eighth frame as the international tiebreaker rule was enacted. The sophomore claimed the win, with Jenna Skradski driving in Lainie Keller to tie the game. Fliege bunted to move Jenna Skradski to third, Macanna Guritz took a walk, and Emma Barwick drove in the winning run as she poked a ball over the center fielder.

Paige Schuster, Secora, and Amber Dougherty each had two hits in the contest. Keller had a pair of walks and scored twice.

The Mustangs took a quick lead in the top of the first inning against Culver-Stockton, with Jenna Skradski driving in Mackenzi Harrel, Bralen Biddlecome bringing home Josie Hernandez, and Guritz singling to bring in Biddlecome and Jenna Skradski. 

Paige Schuster and Ashlyn Caniglia added to the lead in the fourth, as Harrel singled in Schuster and Caniglia scored on a ball that Jenna Skradski hit through the shortstop's legs.

Biddlecome got the start in the circle, going for four innings while giving up a pair of runs. The senior struck out two before handing the game off to Jordan Skradski, who added three strikeouts in two shutout innings.

Schuster scored again in the fifth, crossing the plate off the bat of Jalyn Noel. 

Keller scored off of Jordan Skradski, Jenna Skradski scored off of Guritz, Jordan Skradski and Guritz scored off of Amber Dougherty, and Barwick crossed the plate off a ground out by Schuster to pad the Mustangs' cushion.

Morningside heads to McPherson, Kan. on Saturday, Feb. 14, for a 1 p.m. double header with McPherson.