Hernandez homers, Schuster triples in Saturday split

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa — The Morningside University softball team ended its first weekend of the season the same as it did Friday, a two-game split at the American State Bank Dome Classic.

The Mustangs won their second game of the day with a 7-5 win over Mount Mercy. It was a come-from-behind victory, after the Cedar Rapids-based Mustangs scored thrice in the first inning.

Morningside scored six runs throughout the second, third, and fourth innings. During the second inning, Lainie Keller scored on a wild pitch. She reached base with a lead-off double.

Emma Barwick had an RBI groundout, then later in the inning, Paige Schuster ripped a triple down the right-field line, scoring Kennedy Wineland.

Mackenzi Harrel — who went 3-for-3 — got the scoring started in the fourth inning with a double to center field, which scored Ellie Gengler. Jalyn Noelle and Wineland also had RBI singles in the fourth.

Wineland added the seventh run with an RBI groundout that scored Ashlyn Caniglia.

Morgan Secora pitched all seven innings, needing 59 pitches. She allowed three earned runs on seven hits. She struck out one batter.

Earlier in the day, Grand View defeated the Mustangs 5-2. The Vikings scored twice during the first and fifth innings, then once more in the sixth.

Morningside's first run was scored during the top of the second. Josie Hernandez hit the first home run of the season, a solo shot to left field.

The Mustangs also posted a run during the fourth, as Schuster brought in Keller with an RBI double. Keller also hit a double.