FREMONT, Neb. – After delaying the start of its Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) schedule by 24 hours, No. 13-ranked Midland University welcomed Concordia University to Schilke Fields south of Fremont on Thursday evening. Behind solid pitching in the circle by their veteran arms, the Warriors earned a doubleheader sweep over the Bulldogs, winning 9-1 in six innings and 5-0.
GAME ONE: Midland 9, Concordia 1 (six innings)
The Warriors plated runs in five of the six innings as they blitzed past the Bulldogs in the opening game of the night. In the 1st, Roni Foote and Amanda Schmaderer each drove in a run to open the ledger.
An inning later, Halle Meyer drove in a run via a sacrifice bunt, making it a 3-0 game through the first two frames.
Following a scoreless 3rd, and after allowing a run to the Bulldogs in their ensuing at-bat, the Warriors’ bats came alive again with two runs in the 4th. Both runs across as Aja Henderson launched a two-run home run over the right-field fence.
Riding the momentum from the inning before, Matti Reiling drove in two runs with a two-out double in the 5th. Mia Orduna followed with an RBI single, pushing the Midland lead to 8-1.
On the verge of the run-rule, Concordia was unable to mount a comeback in the 6th as they stranded a runner at first. In the bottom half of the inning, Foote drove in the game-clinching run with a double ending the game, 9-1.
Aliyah Rincon, who was named the GPAC Pitcher of the Week, was stellar in the circle. She pitched 6.0 innings with 10 strikeouts while allowing just 3 hits and 2 walks.
Statistical Standouts
- Reese Floro: 2-for-3, 2 R
- Roni Foote: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2B
- Matti Reiling: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI
- Mia Orduna: 2-for-3, RBI
- Aja Henderson: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI
- Aliyah Rincon: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 10 K
GAME TWO: Midland 5, Concordia 0
With the sun setting at the start of the second game of the doubleheader, the offenses were kept quiet by both pitching staffs. Each side was able to muster one hit through two innings of play. In the 3rd, Amanda Schmaderer drove in the game’s first run with a lineout to right field. Aja Henderson, who opened the inning with a single and then made her way to third as the bases were loaded, scored on a poorly thrown ball back into the infield. The throw from the outfield brought the catcher up the line and with no one covering the dish, Henderson scooted home to put the Warriors up, 1-0.
In the 5th, Roni Foote doubled and brought home Emily Prai with one out. Schmaderer followed up with a double of her own, pushing the lead to 3-0. An inning later, it was Reese Floro hitting a double. She drove in Prai and Brie Lively, who had come in to run for Henderson as she was hit by a pitch.
Paeton Coler kept the Bulldogs caged all game. She gave up just two hits and three walks while striking out four batters for the complete-game win.
Statistical Standouts:
- Emily Prai: 3-for-4, 2 R
- Reese Floro: 1-for-4, 2 RBI
- Roni Foote: 1-for-4, R, RBI
- Amanda Schmaderer: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
- Paeton Coler: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 4 K
Midland (23-4, 2-0 GPAC) was scheduled to take on Nebraska Wesleyan in a nonconference doubleheader on Saturday. With temperatures starting to plummet for the weekend, those games were canceled. The Warriors will now hope for a quick warmup at the start of next week as they are slated to host Morningside (6-15, 0-0 GPAC) on Tuesday, March 26.
