Mside rolls on road, moves up league standings

MITCHELL, S.D. – Morningside University's offense unleashed 22 runs on 31 hits over 14 innings Saturday, April 2.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' No. 24-ranked program proved its top 25 worth from start to finish at Cadwell Park Complex. The visitors raced out to an 11-0 lead through four innings in the opener en route to a 13-5 victory. The hosts gave the Mustangs a stiff test in game two going toe-to-toe run-production-wise for the first four frames. With head coach Jessica Jones-Sitzmann's team clinging to a 4-3 advantage in the fifth, senior shortstop Lexie Stolen (Sioux City, Iowa) belted a gram slam which led the way to a 9-4 victory.

Stolen's second game round-tripper was just part of the offensive output. Senior third baseman Morgan Nixon (Omaha, Neb.) contributed five hits, including a double, scored five runs, and drove in four; senior infielder/designated hitter Bre Tjebben (Fort Dodge, Iowa) delivered four hits with a double and triple as part of the resume and drove in three; and junior outfielder Vanessa Bohuslavsky (David City, Neb.) registered five hits of which four occurred in game one to add to Stolen's heroics.

That firepower was more than enough for senior Katherine Wurtz (Omaha, Neb.) and freshman Grace Buffington (Gretna, Neb.) to earn complete-game decisions. Wurtz struck out four in game one, and Buffington K'ed two in the nightcap. 

The Mustangs (15-7 overall, 3-1 GPAC), winners of three of their last four, resume conference action Tuesday, April 5, travel to Midland University for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.