Nightcap dandy sends Mside to Saturday split

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – The sophomore-senior pitching combination of Caleb Thomson (SO/Libertyville, Ill.) (Libertyville, Ill.) and Camden Parks (SR/Omaha, Neb.) (Omaha, Neb.) enabled Morningside College fans to leave Sioux City West High School field in high spirits Saturday, Oct. 17.

After North Star Athletic Association foe Valley City State University's offense produced 10 runs in the opener of the fall season series finale, head coach Adam Boeve's team was seeking redemption in game two. They got it with Thomson and Parks shutting down what had been a potent Vikings offense early in the afternoon, limiting VCSU to four hits and striking out eight for a 2-0 game two victory.

Senior catcher Braden Smutz (SR/Lake Stevens, Wash.) (Lake Stevens, Wash.) aided the gem, going two-for-two at the plate and scoring a run. A pair of freshmen, shortstop Brian Garcia (FR/Burbank, Calif.) (Burbank, Calif.) and third baseman Gunnar Kale (FR/Merced, Calif.) (Merced, Calif.), was also key. Garcia delivered a hit and scored a run, and Kale drove in a run.

In game one, Smutz, hitting a stratospheric .700 through four fall contests, went three-for-three and scored a run. Senior outfielder Levi Davidson (SR/Dakota City, Neb.) (Dakota City, Neb.) drove in both Mustangs' tallies.

Morningside (1-3) concludes its fall 2020 slate hosting Valley City State in a single nine-inning game Sunday, Oct. 18. Game time is 12 p.m. at West High School field.