Softball Sweeps in Gulf Coast Invitational

GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Mustangs were looking to keep momentum in their favor as the softball team recovered from an early-season skid, scoring three runs, including the walkoff, in a quick eight-inning 3-2 win over Thomas and scoring late to secure a 3-2 win over Georgetown.

It was a complete-game gem for sophomore Adeline Fliege, who gave up just two hits in the extra-innings win, striking out eight with no walks and no earned runs. 

The Thomas Night Hawks got two runs across in the fourth inning, stringing together a runner reaching on a dropped third strike and a hit, before capitalizing on an error by Fliege to get two runs across. 

The Mustangs would respond with a pair of runs in the sixth, as Lainie Keller laced a single down the right field line. Amber Dougherty advanced Keller with a single to center field, and Jalyn Noelle took advantage of a ball to no-man's land with two outs to score Keller. Paige Schuster followed it with a double, scoring Dougherty before Noelle was caught on the basepaths.

Bralen Biddlecome stepped to the plate with Jenna Skradski on second in the bottom of the eighth. Biddlecome dropped a bunt at the feet of the pitcher, attempting to sacrifice, but reaching first as the third baseman streaking in disrupted Thomas' play, advancing to second on the play as Skradski took third, as designed. Emma Barwick put a ball on the ground, but the Night Hawks made a play on Skradski at home as Biddlecome and Barwick filled the vacated bases. 

Dougherty stepped to the plate in possibly the biggest at bat of her young Morningside career, dropping a single into left with two outs, scoring Biddlecome for the walkoff.

The Mustangs got on the board first in the nightcap against Georgetown, putting the wheels in motion as Keller singled to left field. Skradski walked behind her, advancing Keller to second. Barwick hit into a fielder's choice, moving Keller to third as the Tigers took the out at second. Dougherty doubled to left field, scoring Barwick and Keller before the inning ended.

The Tigers would get a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, as a series of singles and a sacrifice fly pulled Georgetown even with Morningside. 

The Mustangs took the advantage again in the top of the seventh inning when Lillian Harris walked with one out before getting caught on a fielder's choice at second as Biddlecome took first. Keller doubled, moving Biddlecome to third, and Skradski singled, scoring Biddlecome before Keller was caught retreating to third base to end the half inning. 

Morningside was able to silence the Georgetown bats on a groundout and a pair of fly balls to end the contest.

Biddlecome got the win in the circle as the clock passed 9:30 p.m., striking out two and walking two while surrendering two runs with eight hits scattered throughout the game. 

Morningside wraps up its spring break trip tomorrow with a pair of contests against Cumberlands at 11:15 a.m. and William Woods at 1:30 p.m.