Mustangs Drop Two in Branson

BRANSON, Mo. – Morningside added a pair of losses to its record in unconventional fashion today, falling to Culver-Stockton, 8-7, in 10 innings and Avila, 9-1, in six.

The Wildcats were able to keep the Mustangs off the board until the sixth inning this morning, when Mackenzi Harrel homered, bringing in Paige Schuster, who had gotten a single in the at bat prior. 

A scoreless seventh inning would start the eighth with a runner on second base. CSC added three runs in the top half of the eighth, which Morningside answered, with Amber Dougherty reaching third on a throwing error by the catcher, then scoring on a Schuster single. With the bases loaded, a Josie Hernandez walk brought in Jalyn Noelle, and a Macanna Guritz walk scored Schuster before the inning came to a close. 

The ninth inning saw Adeline Fliege start on second base, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jenna Skradski. A fly ball from Emma Barwick was enough to score the sophomore from third base, forcing a 10th inning.

Noelle started the inning on second, with Culver-Stockton getting two runs across in the top half of the 10th. Schuster stepped to the plate, hitting a ground ball to the pitcher, but moving Noelle over. A Harrel single to left field brought the Morningside second baseman home, but the inning came to a close before the Mustangs could bring Harrel in. 

Morgan Secora got the start in game 1, throwing 7.1 innings before handing the ball over to Fliege. Combined, the pitchers gave up five earned runs with three strikeouts, eight hits, and eight total runs. 

Fliege and Bralen Biddlecome would share duties in the day's second contest, with Fliege going 3.0 and Biddlecome throwing the remaining 2.1 innings. Combined they gave up 11 hits, nine runs, eight of which were earned, and five walks.

Morningside cobbled together four hits in the nightcap, with Fliege offering the lone run and RBI on a solo home run. Schuster tallied two hits, including a double, and Harrel added a double of her own. 

The Mustangs will regroup, looking to bounce back in a pair of contests at Baker tomorrow starting at noon in Baldwin City, Kan.