Mustangs split rain-delayed Gulf Shores opener

GULF SHORES, ALA. – Following a rainout of Morningside's opening day at Gulf Shores, the Mustangs got play underway dropping an eight-inning thriller to Columbia, 7-6, before picking up a 5-1 win over William Woods.

Morningside went into the bottom of the seventh inning looking to protect a one-run lead, but a leadoff single and sacrifice bunt quickly had a Columbia Cougar in scoring position. A sacrifice fly proved deep enough to score the tying run from third to tie the game.

The Mustangs poured it on in the eighth inning, starting with Ellie Gengler on second. A sacrifice bunt from Mackenzi Harrel moved Gengler over, where Jenna Skradski was able to score her and reach on a fielder's choice. Jalyn Noelle walked, advancing Skradski, and a Kennedee Wineland single brought Skradski in and put runners on second and third before a double play cut the inning short.

Unfortunately for Morningside, a single quickly put runners on the corners, where a wild pitch allowed the Cougars to chip away at the Mustangs' lead and put another runner on third. A walk, followed by a sacrifice bunt, tightened the margin as it was suddenly 6-5 in favor of Morningside. Another sacrifice bunt by Columbia moved runners to second and third, but an infield popup set Morningside up with just one more out to go. 

The Mustangs' luck seemed to have run out as another wild pitch tied the game and put a runner on third. A pair of walks reloaded the bases, where a single to right center was able to finish the game.

Mackenna Sidzyik had a pair of RBIs in the contest, with one hit in four at bats. Lainie Keller was able to collect three hits as the designated player, while Ellie Gengler had three runs and two hits.

Jenna Skradski threw seven innings with eight strikeouts and six earned runs in the loss.

The Mustangs had a less stressful outing in the second game of the day, putting up four runs in the bottom of the first inning, as Sidzyik started the inning with a leadoff single. Emma Barwick bunted to move her over before Lainie Keller was hit by a pitch and Kennedee Jones walked to load the bases. Gengler walked to bring in the game's first run before Paige Schuster drove a single to right center to bring in a pair of runs. Schuster stole second ahead of a Noelle walk to load the bases again, and Wineland walked to bring in the final run of the inning.

Sidzyik added two hits and an RBI to her resume for the day. Schuster had two RBIs on her lone hit, and Gengler and Wineland each had an RBI.

Morgan Secora got the start, striking out four in seven innings of work while walking just one batter and giving up one run.

The Mustangs, now 5-5 on the season, take the field again tomorrow to play William Carey at 11:15 a.m. and Thomas at 1:30 p.m.