Softball Drops Game Two Despite Two Home Runs

SIOUX CITY, Iowa. – Doane softball took an early deficit with a four-run fourth inning, but Morningside answered with five runs in the bottom of the fifth to take game two of Saturday's GPAC doubleheader, 6-5, at Jensen Softball Complex.

The Tigers finished with eight hits in the contest and got home runs from Ciara Hudson and Addison Parsons, but the Mustangs used a late rally to secure the win.

After three scoreless innings, Doane broke through in the top of the fourth. Kayla Meyer started the frame with a single to center and Hannah Pack came on to run. Evelyn Iniguez moved Pack to third with a sacrifice bunt, and Katelyn Hays followed with an RBI single up the middle to bring home the first run of the game.

Milannie Gonzalez then singled to put two aboard, and both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Hudson delivered the big swing of the inning, blasting a three-run home run to center field to put the Tigers in front 4-0.

Morningside answered in the bottom half of the inning. Adeline Fliege singled to left and moved all the way to third on an error before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Bralen Biddlecome, trimming the lead to 4-1.

Doane threatened again in the fifth. Meyer singled through the left side, Lexi Adams entered as a pinch runner, advanced on another sacrifice bunt by Iniguez, stole third, and Hays drew a walk. The Tigers, however, were unable to add on.

That missed opportunity proved costly as Morningside surged ahead in the bottom of the fifth. Paige Schuster was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Ashlyn Caniglia ran in her place. After a groundout and a fielder's choice, Amber Dougherty singled and Jalyn Noelle walked to load the bases. Mackenzi Harrel was then hit by a pitch to force in a run, making it 4-2.

Fliege followed with a single that drove in two runs, and the ball got past the center fielder, allowing Harrel to score as well and Fliege to advance to third. Biddlecome then doubled down the right field line to plate Fliege and cap the five-run inning, giving the Mustangs a 6-4 lead.

Trinity Robinson settled things down in relief, tossing a scoreless sixth inning for Doane, and the Tigers made one final push in the seventh. With two outs, Parsons connected on a solo home run to cut the deficit to 6-5, but Doane could get no closer.

Hudson went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored, while Meyer added two hits. Hays was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk, Gonzalez scored once, and Parsons homered in her lone at-bat.

Lauren Dick started in the circle and struck out one over 4.2 innings. Robinson worked the final 1.1 innings in relief.

Doane moved to 13-12 overall and 0-2 in GPAC play following the doubleheader, while Morningside improved to 13-11 overall and 4-0 in conference action.

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