Mustangs split temperature-delayed series in Kansas

WICHITA, KAN. – The Mustangs found that even heading south wasn't a complete guarantee that you'd find favorable weather conditions in late February, as two days of doubleheaders at Friends turned into a pair of nine-inning games today. Morningside won the opener for the weekend 7-0 before dropping the finale 3-1. 

Jayson Willers' bat provided more than enough spark for the Mustangs in game one, driving in three RBIs on two home runs. Ryan Kiolbassa and Brian Garcia each had two RBIs in the contest, with Kiolbassa singling to center field in the top of the third to bring in Garcia and get Morningside on the board.

Aiden Bishop had a three-hit game, while Kiolbassa, Carter Ades, and Elijah Rude all had two-hit outings.

Wade Canaday got the win on the bump, pitching five scoreless innings, giving up three hits, walking one, and striking out three. Kai Purdy-Burton threw the remaining four innings, giving up four hits, striking out four, and walking one as he completed the shutout.

Morningside was able to keep Friends from hanging any crooked numbers on the board in the series finale, but the Falcon's defense was able to keep the Mustangs off the bases, let alone stringing together hits. 

Morningside's lone run in the game came in the eighth inning, when Garcia dumped a two-out double into right field. Ades was hit by a pitch, moving Garcia over in the process, and Kiolbassa sent a single into right field, scoring Garcia. Kiolbassa and Ades advanced a base on an error on the play, but were unable to score.

Kiolbassa's hit and RBI led the team's offense. Garcia, Bishop, and Alex Calabrese each had a hit to add to the team stat line.

Bishop started the game on the mound for Morningside, going 4.2 innings and surrendering four hits and one earned run. Bishop walked two and struck out two in the outing. 

Josh Thurman threw an inning in relief, giving up one earned run, walking three, and striking out one. Jackson Stephen threw 1.1 innings, with three hits, one earned run, and a walk. Logan Warkentin finished the game for the Mustangs, giving up two hits, a walk, and striking out two batters.

Morningside is in Tucson, Ariz. next weekend, playing 10 games in five days before returning to Sioux City to open MercyOne Field on March 14.