Mustangs' power surge continues to begin three-day KCAC set

LINDSBORG, KS. – National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' No. 20-ranked Morningside College hasn't been without the use of extra-base hits, and plenty of them, so far this season.

That theme continued for head coach Jessica Jones-Sitzmann's squad Monday, March 8. Coming up off the mat from a 3-0 first inning game one deficit against Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Bethany College, the Maroon posted 11 runs over the second through fifth frames and then averted a massive Swedes comeback attempt to win 11-9. Game two was all Mside, as they tallied five runs in the first, second, and third frames en route to a 15-2 five-inning triumph.

Jones-Sitzmann's offense, as it has been all year as part of a 16-3 record, was the story. They produced multiple big flies for the eighth and ninth games and two-or-more doubles for the ninth and 10^th outings in 19 total contests. The upperclasswoman infield duo of junior Morgan Nixon (JR/Omaha, NE) (Omaha, Neb.) and senior Lexie Stolen (SR/Sioux City, IA) (Sioux City, Iowa) were at the forefront. Nixon homered twice as part of a three-for-nine, four-runs-scored, one-double, seven-RBI late afternoon/early evening. Stolen was a red-hot three-for-five at the plate, scored five runs, homered twice, and drove in five. Junior outfielder Ellie Cropley (JR/Sioux City, IA) (Sioux City, Iowa) added to what has become a potent trio of late with four hits in eight at-bats, two doubles, a home run, and two RBI.

From within the circle, sophomore Lisa Bolton (SO/American Canyon, CA) (American Canyon, Calif.) resumed her noteworthy Spring Break 2021 achievements. Just two days removed from nearly shutting down perennial national power Oklahoma City University, she baffled Bethany with nine strikeouts in game two as part of a complete-game victory.

Morningside travels to Kansas Wesleyan University Tuesday, March 9. They face off with the Coyotes in a doubleheader at 3 p.m. at Salina South High School field.