Mustangs split GPAC opener with Chargers

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The Morningside University baseball team opened Great Plains Athletic Conference play Thursday with a split over Briar Cliff at Bishop Mueller Complex.

Briar Cliff won Game 1 7-2, while the Mustangs (11-2-1, 1-1 GPAC) claimed Game 2, 11-3.

Game 1: Chargers 7, Mustangs 2

Morningside scored in both the second and fifth innings. In the second inning, Michael Snyder doubled to center field that scored Conner Maston. Then, in the fifth, Corder Noun Harder had a pinch-hit RBI groundout that scored Snyder.

Kai Purdy-Burton took the loss, allowing five earned runs on three hits. He struck out six. Josh Peatt came in relief, and he gave up one earned run on five hits.

Game 2: Mustangs 11, Chargers 3

Morningside scored six times during the third inning to put the game away after scoring the first run in the second.

Jacob O'Dell — who had a game-high five RBIs — earned his first of the nightcap with an RBI double in the second.

Maston started the scoring in the third inning, as he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. That made it a 2-0 game. O'Dell then came up and cleared the bases with a three-run triple, scoring Maston, Luke Blackmon, and Giacomo Crosetti.

O'Dell later scored on a wild pitch, and pinch hitter Nick Grajeda got an RBI groundout to give the Mustangs a 7-0 lead.

Crosetti, Snyder, and Blackmon each had RBI singles late in the contest to add runs nine, 10, and 11.

Michael Delzell also hit a double in the win.

Cade Nolan pitched a solid outing, holding the Chargers to two earned runs on nine hits. He struck out eight hitters, and threw 62 strikes out of 104 pitches. Brady Seuntjens pitched a scoreless inning.

The Mustangs and Chargers meet again Friday at Bishop Mueller Complex in Morningside's GPAC home opener. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.