Mustangs score 10 in win over Dakota State

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — The Morningside softball team rebounded in strong fashion Saturday afternoon, defeating Dakota State 10-2 in six innings after dropping the morning opener to Saint Xavier (Ill.) inside the American State Bank Dome.

In the nightcap, the Mustangs (4-2) broke open a tight game with a six-run sixth inning to secure the run-rule victory.

Dakota State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Morningside answered in the second. Adeline Fliege scored on a throwing error before Lainie Keller doubled to left field to bring home another run and give the Mustangs a 2-1 advantage.

The Trojans tied the game at 2-2 on a solo home run in the fourth, but Morningside regained control in the fifth. Amber Dougherty led off with a double, and Paige Schuster followed with a sacrifice fly to put the Mustangs ahead. Later in the inning, Macanna Guritz reached on an error that allowed another run to score, extending the lead to 4-2.

Morningside put the game away in the sixth. With the bases loaded, Schuster drove in a run on a fielder's choice before Josie Hernandez drew a bases-loaded walk. Fliege then delivered a two-run double to left-center, and Guritz capped the rally with a two-run double of her own.

Guritz finished with three RBIs, while Fliege added two RBIs and scored twice. Keller and Jenna Skradski drove in a run as part of Morningside's seven-hit effort.

Fliege earned the win in the circle, allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings while striking out three.

Earlier in the day, Morningside fell 8-2 to Saint Xavier.

The Mustangs grabbed an early lead in the first inning when Hernandez doubled to left field to score Schuster. After Saint Xavier tied the game in the bottom half, Morningside moved back in front in the fifth as Schuster singled home Emma Barwick for a 2-1 edge.

Saint Xavier responded with three runs in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a Morningside error to take the lead. The Cougars then broke the game open in the sixth with a grand slam that extended the margin to 8-2.

Schuster led the Mustangs offensively in the opener, going 2 for 3 with an RBI. Hernandez, Barwick, Mackenzi Harrel and Dougherty each recorded doubles as part of Morningside's six-hit performance.

Bralen Biddlecome started in the circle and allowed one earned run over five innings before Saint Xavier's late surge decided the outcome.

The Mustangs have four games remaining in February, including a road doubleheader against McPherson on Tuesday.