Winning Weekend - Dordt sweep, Doane split move Mustangs up GPAC standings

An eight-hour-plus doubleheader Friday, April 2 that had more twists and turns than a northwest Iowa county road kept Morningside College firmly locked within the top four of the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

The Mustangs, winding up a wild 24 hours with three wins in four attempts against the Defenders and league-leading Doane University, kept their impressive recent streak of play going. Head coach Adam Boeve's squad (16-19 overall, 8-4 GPAC) moved to 12-7 in their last 19 outings, claiming 8-7 and 14-11 triumphs over Dordt and gaining game one of a Saturday, April 3, twin bill against Doane by a 12-9 count. The Tigers stopped the Maroon's bid for an unbeaten weekend, forging a split with a 7-1 game two decision.

Friday's double-dip at Open Space Park Field in Sioux Center was an instant classic from the get-go. The two teams combined for nine runs in the final inning of game one, which went nine frames. The nightcap was more of the same, as the home side held a 9-6 edge through four innings before Mside posted eight tallies over the final three plate appearances to lock up another extra sessions' victory. Junior catcher Braden Smutz (JR/Lake Stevens, Wash.) (Lake Stevens, Wash.) had a massive night at the dish with four hits, two doubles, a home run, and six RBI. Freshman outfielder Hunter Hope (FR/Sioux City, Iowa) (Sioux City, Iowa) tallied four hits in eight at-bats with a home run and four RBI to aid the Mustangs' attack, too.

Saturday's clash with Doane saw Boeve's bunch keep its offensive juggernaut in high gear early on. Senior infielder Jordan Pierce (SR/Carlisle, Iowa) (Carlisle, Iowa) bashed a double as part of two hits and drove in three runs; sophomore infielder Elijah Rude (SO/Hudson, Wis.) (Hudson, Wis.) launched a home run and drove in two; and freshman infielder Eddie Brancato (FR/Arlington Heights, Ill.) (Arlington Heights, Ill.) laced a two-run single to help guide the Maroon to the game one decision. A four-run seventh inning visitors rally was the difference in game two, as Hope and Brancato came back with multiple-hit outings.

Morningside takes to the road for a four-game weekend series at Hastings College Saturday and Sunday, April 10 and 11.