Strong pitching leads to Thursday split in Florida

DAVENPORT, Fla. – Morningside continued its spring break trip to Florida Thursday, falling in 12 innings to Cornerstone and defeating Valley City State.

Morningside and Cornerstone didn't score in the first 11 innings of play, but Cornerstone scored five in the top of the 12th to win, 5-1. Brian Garcia grounded out to score Jacob O'Dell in the bottom of the 12th, but the Mustangs were unable to complete a comeback. 

Six different Mustangs recorded base hits, including a pinch hit triple from O'Del. Garcia had a base hit and an RBI. 

Kai Purdy-Burton pitched seven innings, striking out nine batters and allowing no runs. Mason Hymer pitched four strong innings, striking out five, but the Cornerstone bats came alive in his fifth inning, resulting in Hymer taking the loss. Joe Harris finished the 12th inning in relief of Hymer. 

The Mustang offense opened up in game two, defeating Valley City State 6-1 in game two. Gunnar Kale hit a two-run home run in the third to make it 2-0, Mustangs. Morningside broke the game open in the fifth. Brancato reached on an error that Garcia scored on to get the ball rolling in the inning. Aiden Bishop hit a sacrifice fly to score O'Dell and Ryan Kiolbassa was hit by a pitch to score Brancato. Trent Lawrence singled in Cade Nolan to make it 6-0. 

Conner Maston pitched the complete game for the Mustangs, striking out nine. Kale totaled two hits and two RBI. Bishop, Kiolbassa, and Lawrence recorded one hit and one RBI each.

The Mustangs play one final game in Florida, taking on Webber International Friday at noon.