Mustangs Win Game 1, Are Unable to Claim Series at no. 24 Midland

FREMONT, Neb. – As it did during the regular season, Morningside's softball team was able to get the opening game of today's Great Plains Athletic Conference Softball Tournament championship series, but the Mustangs were unable to pick up a second win on the day against the no. 24 team in the country, winning 2-1 before falling 4-3 and 3-2.

Adeline Fliege had the honors of toeing the rubber in the opener, picking up the complete game win with one earned run on four hits and five strikeouts.

Amber Dougherty started the contest with a walk for Morningside's offense. The sophomore advanced to second on a Jalyn Noelle sacrifice bunt and scored on a Mackenzi Harrel double. Dougherty would score Morningside's second run in the contest, lacing a triple to center field and swiping home on a wild pitch. Ashlyn Caniglia and Emma Barwick also recorded hits in the opener as Midland's ace was able to quiet Morningside's bats.

The Mustangs had a loud first inning in the series' second game, scoring all three of their runs in the first inning as Dougherty singled, Noelle dropped another bunt, beating out the play, and Harrel placed a double in right center to score Dougherty. 

A Josie Hernandez single followed, scoring Noelle from third and advancing Harrel before Bralen Biddlecome reached on a fielder's choice and scored Harrel.

Biddlecome surrendered eight hits and two earned runs to the Warriors as Morningside's defense stranded nine runners.

The Mustangs got on the board first again once the "if necessary" game became necessary, scoring in the top of the second when Jenna Skradski reached on an error. Barwick singled to third, moving Skradski over and giving her the opportunity to take third base on the play. Dougherty came to the plate, scoring Skradski and advancing Barwick, who had stolen second, to third. 

The Mustangs equalized in the sixth inning, erasing a lead that Midland had opened in the bottom of the second as Barwick singled again, Dougherty walked, advancing Barwick, and Harrel reached on a fielder's choice. A throwing error on the play scored Barwick and placed runners on second and third before the inning was retired. The Warriors would retake the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. 

Morningside will advance to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Softball World Series Opening Round, which begins on May 11, with the GPAC's second automatic bid. The Mustangs' opening round pairing and assigned site will be released by the NAIA on May 6.