Softball Split Leads to Tie at the Top of the GPAC Standings

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Morningside entered the day tied with its opponent across the diamond, Midland, in the Great Plains Athletic Conference softball standings. Following a series split, winning game one 6-5 in nine innings and game two 2-1, and the two teams exited as part of a four-way tie for first place in the league.

Mackenzi Harrel provided Morningside's spark in the opener, answering Midland's 1-0 lead in the third inning with a grand slam after Jenna Skradski reached on an error, moving to second on a ground ball and third on an Amber Dougherty infield single. Jalyn Noelle walked to load the bases before Harrel homered to straight away center. 

Midland would get two back on a home run off the top of the center field fence in the fourth, but Morningside answered with a Josie Hernandez single. Hernandez was lifted for Ashlyn Caniglia, who moved to second on a Bralen Biddlecome bunt and scored on a Macanna Guritz double. 

The Warriors tacked on two more in the sixth, setting the score for extra innings as Morningside's defense stranded Midland runners on more than one occasion. 

The Mustangs were able to finally get a run across in the bottom of the ninth as Hernandez singled again. Jordan Skradski pinch ran for the catcher, taking second on a Biddlecome single, with both runners advancing on a Guritz sacrifice, setting the table for a Morningside walkoff as Jenna Skradski stepped to the plate with her twin sister 60 feet away at third base.

Jenna Skradski took her first pitch, a strike on the outside half of the plate, stepped out of the box, then stepped back to the plate. Midland's pitcher delivered a ball, even farther off the plate than the first offering, but Jenna had made up her mind, swung, and connected, sending a ground ball to the second baseman. Jordan Skradski broke for the plate as the fielder threw the ball home, forcing the senior to slide in, pushing her foot across the plate before the ball arrived to give Morningside its walkoff win.

Adeline Fliege took the victory in the circle, giving up five runs and striking out three in the nine-inning complete game win.

Morningside's luck wasn't as good in the day's second contest, as its only run answered a 2-0 deficit, as Jenna Skradski scored from second as Dougherty reached on a throwing error. 

Morgan Secora suffered the loss, throwing a complete game with three strikeouts and eight hits. 

The Mustangs are back on the diamond tomorrow, facing Dakota Wesleyan, who is also part of the four-way tie, at 1 p.m. at the Jensen Softball Complex.