Mustangs fall in season opening doubleheader against Grand View

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The 2024 Morningside softball season began Friday afternoon at the American State Bank Dome in Sioux Center as the Mustangs fell to receiving votes Grand View 7-2 in game one and 11-3 in five innings in game two.

The Mustangs fell behind quickly in the first two innings of action 5-0. The Vikings tacked on one more in the fourth and fifth innings to make it 7-0.

The Mustangs had a runner in scoring position in the third when Emma Barwick led off with a double, but Morningside was unable to bring her around to score.

Morningside broke into the scoring column for the first time in the young season with an RBI-double from Paige Schuster after Mackenzi Harrel doubled to lead off the seventh inning. Kennedy Wineland singled two batters later to bring Schuster around to score, but that was all the Mustangs could muster up in the final inning.

Harrel finished with two hits and a run scored. Schuster recorded a double, RBI, and a run scored. 

Bralen Biddlecome earned the start to open the season for Morningside, striking out one in two innings, taking the loss. Jenna Skradski came in for Biddlecome to start the third inning, pitching five innings without allowing an earned run and striking out four. 

Grand View scored in every inning of game two. After falling behind 8-0 through four innings, The Mustangs struck for three in the top of the fifth. Ellie Gengler hit an RBI-double to drive in Skradski. Jalyn Noelle added a single to score Gengler and Harrel singled to score Noelle. Grand View answered with a pair of runs to walk it off.

Morningside totaled five hits, highlighted by Gengler's RBI-double. Skradski, Noelle, Mackenna Sidzyik and Harrel singled in the game. Three Mustangs pitched in the game with Morgan Secora starting and taking the loss.

The Mustangs are back in action Saturday against No. 11 Baker (Kan.). Games are scheduled for 10 a.m. and Noon at the American State Bank Dome in Sioux Center.