Game one rally highlights pair of victories

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Junior infielder Bre Tjebben (Fort Dodge, Iowa) laced a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth, ensuring senior pitcher Alex Nelson (SR/Sioux Falls, SD)'s (Sioux Falls, S.D.) near-perfect bullpen appearance didn't go by the wayside Friday, Feb. 19.

Battling North Star Athletic Association power Dickinson State University in the first game of the second Presentation College Dome Classic II, head coach Jessica Jones-Sitzmann's squad found themselves down 2-1 going into the final two and a half frames. The No. 20-ranked National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Mustangs loaded the bases with nobody out behind two singles and an error. DSU starting pitcher Jaya Allen, who made things difficult on the Maroon offense due to six strikeouts, k'ed the next two hitters before Tjebben found a soft spot in the Hawks' defense for a hit that plated the tying and eventual game-winning tallies.

The comeback was just enough for Nelson. The Mside senior allowed only one hit in her three innings of work to go along with a strikeout. She left the potential tying run at third in the seventh, striking out a DSU hitter swinging to end the contest.

Morningside's offense made sure the nightcap didn't need a white-knuckle-ride finish. The Maroon clouted eight extra-base hits and posted 11 runs over the first three innings to overwhelm Mayville State University. No one was more prolific at the plate individually, though than junior infielder Morgan Nixon (JR/Omaha, NE) (Omaha, Neb.). She blasted a pair of home runs and a double, scored three runs, and drove in three, as the Mustangs cruised 11-2 in five innings.

Nelson moved her record to 3-0 in the circle, gaining her second victory of the day. She went the final three innings, giving up one hit and a run.

Mside resumes its stay at the PC Dome Classic II Saturday, Feb. 20. They face Valley City State University and Dakota State University.