Mustangs continue unbeaten conference roll, topple Hastings

HASTINGS, NEB. – A pair of big-run innings helped send National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' No. 16-ranked Morningside College to a sweep Thursday, April 1.

Keeping a one-game lead on the Great Plains Athletic Conference standings, the Mustangs busted up a 2-2 tie in the opener at Hastings College's Smith Softball Complex. Junior Morgan Nixon (JR/Omaha, NE)'s (Omaha, Neb.) two-run home run in the top of the seventh highlighted a three-run outburst to ensure a come-from-behind 5-2 victory. It was the same recipe to success in the nightcap for head coach Jessica Jones-Sitzmann's squad. Trailing 3-2 after three frames, the Maroon compiled five in the fourth due to three Bronco errors and a two-run bomb off the bat of junior outfielder Ellie Cropley (JR/Sioux City, IA) (Sioux City, Iowa).

Sophomore Lisa Bolton (SO/American Canyon, CA) (American Canyon, Calif.) and senior Alex Nelson (SR/Sioux Falls, SD) (Sioux Falls, S.D.) benefitted from the offense's penchant for rallies. Bolton fired a complete-game, two-strikeout effort in the nightcap, working around three earned runs. Nelson, assisting junior starter Katherine Wurtz (JR/Omaha, NE) (Omaha, Neb.) in game one, proved nearly unhittable again. She surrendered just one home team hit and struck out three over three frames, running her current streak of scoreless innings to 19 and a third.

The Mustangs, winners of 14 straight, continue league action Wednesday, April 7. College of Saint Mary is scheduled to visit Jensen Family Softball Complex for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.

NOTE: Mside's current win skein is the program's most extended since 2016.