Morningside pulls out two one-run victories Sunday

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Wrapping up a weekend in Kansas City Sunday afternoon, the Mustangs picked up back-to-back 3-2 wins to go 3-1 for the second straight weekend to open the season.

Morningside fell behind 2-0 to Baker in game one. In the top of the fourth, Jacob O'Dell hit a solo home run to make it 2-1 in favor of Baker. Brian Garcia singled home Luke Froehlich and Ryan Kiolbassa to put the Mustangs ahead 3-2. 

Aiden Bishop started the game on the mound for Morningside, and pitched the complete game for the victory. Bishop struck out four over seven innings of work.

At the plate, Morningside totaled five hits, one by each of O'Dell, Kiolbassa, Garcia, Jayson Willers, and Cade Nolan. Nolan had a double and O'Dell hit his second home run of the season. 

Morningside reversed course in game two, using excellent pitching and a three-run third inning to pick up another victory over Clarke. 

Cade Nolan struck out 12 batters and took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. His teammates spotted three runs in the third inning. Eddie Brancato singled home Nick Grajeda to make it 1-0. Bishop reached on an error that scored Brancato and Froehlich singled home Willers to give the Mustangs a 3-0 lead. 

Clarke got the bases loaded in the seventh inning and walked in a pair of runs, but Logan Warkentin came in to seal the win with a strikeout to get his first save of the season.

Brancato had a single, a run scored, and an RBI. Six different Mustangs recorded hits in the win. 

The Mustangs head to Florida to get spring break started Saturday, March 2. Morningside will play nine games in the Sunshine State before returning for its home opener.