Balanced attack proves pivotal in Sunflower State sweep

SALINA, KS. – Morningside College's second day of a five-date Kansas tour continued to pay deep dividends Tuesday, March 9.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' No. 20-ranked team dispatched Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Kansas Wesleyan 8-0 and 12-0 in a pair of five-inning finishes at Salina South High School Field. Head coach Jessica Jones-Sitzmann's team improved to 18-3 with a little bit of offensive and pitching prowess.

In the circle, sophomore Lisa Bolton (SO/American Canyon, CA) (American Canyon, Calif.) continued to show her skill set. She blanked the Coyotes on four hits and struck out eight over five innings in the nightcap. Game one was a similar theme for the duo of junior Katherine Wurtz (JR/Omaha, NE) (Omaha, Neb.) and senior Alex Nelson (SR/Sioux Falls, SD) (Sioux Falls, S.D.). They combined to shutout the hosts on four hits while producing three strikeouts.

Mside's offense proved formidable for the opposing pitchers yet again. Junior infielder Morgan Nixon (JR/Omaha, NE) (Omaha, Neb.) kept her national lead in home runs with a big fly in the opener as part of a three-hit, six-RBI day. The Sioux City duo of junior outfielder Ellie Cropley (JR/Sioux City, IA) and senior infielder Lexie Stolen (SR/Sioux City, IA), who have been part of a terrific batting trio along with Nixon at several points this season, were part of the headlines, too. Cropley homered and tripled in game two, while Stolen had two hits, one of which was a doubled, scored twice, and drove in three runs in the nightcap as well.

Morningside faces off against the Friends University of Wichita, Ks., Wednesday, March 10. Game time is 3 p.m. at the Two Rivers Youth Complex.