Pitching propels Mustangs to sweep over Chargers

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The quartet of Adeline Fliege, Morgan Secora, Jordan Skradski, and Bralen Biddlecome combined to hold Briar Cliff to two total runs Saturday, leading to a Morningside sweep over the Chargers at Hubbard Park.

Fliege pitched a shutout in Game 1 en route to a 1-0 win over the Chargers, then the other three teamed up to quiet BCU to two runs in a 4-2 victory in the nightcap.

In Game 1, Fliege limited Briar Cliff to four hits. She needed 87 pitches during the shutout, and she threw 61 strikes. She struck out four Chargers, but didn't walk any. Saturday's game was the sixth time that Fliege pitched five or more innings while allowing five hits or fewer. It's also the second straight weekend where Fliege has recorded a shutout.

The offense came during the sixth inning. Emma Barwick tripled to lead off the inning, then Addyson Maxell wasted little time bringing home Barwick with an RBI single. Morningside (24-12, 12-4 GPAC) had just three hits, with Fliege having the third one earlier in the game.

Morningside scored first in Game 2, too, and it came right away in the first inning. Paige Schuster led off the game with a single, then two batters later, Lainie Keller tripled in Schuster to give the Mustangs the early lead. The other three runs came during the sixth inning: Secora had an RBI single, and then Barwick drove in two runs with a double to left field. Barwick also had a double, along with Jenna Skradski. 

Secora earned the win in the circle. She pitched five scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks. She also struck out one.

Jordan Skradski pitched the sixth, and Biddlecome worked the seventh. Biddlecome threw 18 pitches, and 11 of them hit the strike zone.