Morningside wins third straight to open play in Alabama

GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Mustangs won their third straight game Friday night, besting Xavier (Louisiana) 6-5 in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Morningside struck first when Morgan Nixon singled in the bottom of the first to bring in Mykel Ann Gray. 

Xavier took the lead in the next half inning, scoring three runs in the top of the second. The Mustangs cut the Xavier lead in half in the bottom of the second. Mackenna Sidzyik scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-2 after two innings. 

Xavier scored two more, both unearned runs, in the top of the third and the lead was 5-2. Morningside didn't answer immediately, but in the bottom of the fourth, Gray's bat helped tie the game. A two-run single from Gray made it a one-run game, but on the play, an error from Xavier allowed Ellie Cropley to score and tie the game.

Taylor Richter hit an RBI-single in the fifth to give Morningside a lead it wouldn't give back, and Grace Buffington shut the door in the circle.

Gray tallied two hits and two RBI for the Mustangs. Nixon and Richter tallied two hits apiece. In the circle, Buffington pitched the complete game win, striking out three. 

Morningside is back in action Saturday in Gulf Shores. The Mustangs face Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) and Baker (Kan.).