SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Morningside ace pitcher Hallie Misiaszek limited the Concordia University softball team to a combined three runs on eight hits on Tuesday afternoon (April 9) in Sioux City, Iowa. The work of Misiaszek boosted the host Mustangs to a doubleheaders sweep of the Bulldogs in contests decided by scores of 4-2 and 4-1. Concordia slipped up despite having a lead in both games.
Head coach Shawn Semler’s squad had entered the day having won 15 of its last 16 games. The Bulldogs also received votes in the new NAIA coaches’ poll that came out in the middle of action. They dropped to 16-6 overall (5-3 GPAC).
“We got good pitching today in both games,” Semler said. “Morningside’s go-to hitters got the job done when it mattered and ours did not. They made our pitchers throw a lot of extra pitches and we gave their pitchers too many quick innings. Our defense also had a couple mistakes in crucial situations that made a difference in both games.”
As usual, Semler gave the ball to freshman Camry Moore in game one and then to senior Brittany Woolridge in game two. They simply got outdueled by Misiaszek, who covered all 14 innings in the circle for Morningside (17-6, 10-2 GPAC), co-defending GPAC regular season champion. Moore gave herself a 2-1 lead in the opener with an RBI single in the top of the third. Later on, sophomore Tori Homolka led off game two with a home run to center. Unfortunately, those advantages did not last long.
In six innings, Moore allowed four earned runs on nine hits (no walks) and struck out two. Woolridge also fired six innings, surrendering four earned runs on six hits and two walks to go along with three strikeouts. Woolridge (8-1) was tagged with her first loss of the 2019 season.
Sophomore Hhana Haro was the lone Bulldog to notch a hit in both games of the twin bill. She singled in a run in the first inning of game one. There were very few scoring opportunities in game two, which saw Concordia manage only two hits and a walk.
It’s a rarity when the Mustangs are not contending for the conference championship. They are right near the top of the league standings after Tuesday’s results. Mackenzie Lose and Ellie Cropley connected for a home run apiece on the day.
The week of road trips is scheduled to continue this weekend with the Bulldogs planning to visit Briar Cliff (7-20, 2-10 GPAC)) on Friday and Mount Marty (17-17, 8-6 GPAC) on Saturday. First pitches for those doubleheaders are set for 3 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. Eighteen of Concordia’s first 22 games this season have come away from home.