CRETE, Neb. – Midland University wrapped up its weekend slate of games as it traveled to Crete, Nebraska to take on No. 14 Doane University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader. The Warriors battled back in the final inning in game one to earn a 7-5 victory and then in game two, the Tigers ignited their offense to earn split with a 16-5 win.
GAME ONE: Midland 7, Doane 5
The Tigers surged ahead in the opening inning, scoring two runs off three hits.
Garrett Freeman sparked the Warriors’ momentum with a home run in the 2nd.
In the top of the 3rd, Nathaniel Reyes singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, positioning himself for scoring. Deven Gomez drew a walk, and then Joshua Hardamon‘s single up the middle brought Reyes home to level the game at 2-2.
Freeman kicked off the 4th inning with a walk, followed by Chase Bouges‘ single. Bouges advanced to second on a Tigers’ fielding error that also allowed Freeman to score. As Yealex Lopez drew a walk, back-to-back singles by Reyes and Gomez brought in two more runs, giving the Warriors a 5-2 lead.
Doane retaliated in the bottom of the 4th with a two-run homer, narrowing the gap to 5-4. The Tigers then seized the lead 6-5 in the 6th with two more runs, scoring on a two-out single and then a wild pitch.
In the top of the 7th, Hardamon drew a walk, and Ben Kirkland entered as a pinch runner to spark a comeback attempt. Freeman singled, advancing Kirkland to third, and then was replaced on base path by the speedier Trystan Mills who came in to pinch run. Connor Petersen‘s infield single brought Kirkland home and then Tyler Struck‘s double scored two runs to put the Warriors in front. Bouges and Jacob Liquori followed with singles, driving in another run as the lead grew to 9-6.
With Doane back at the plate with a chance to extend or walk off with the win, the Warriors’ defense held off the Tigers for the 9-7 victory.
Cole Hupke earned the win with 6 innings pitched while giving up 10 hits, 7 runs, and striking out 2 batters. Derek Lambert picked up the save with one inning of work, allowing no hits, one walk, and one strikeout.
Statistical Standouts
- Nathaniel Reyes: 4-for-5, R, RBI
- Garrett Freeman: 3-for-3, 2 R, RBI, HR
- Connor Petersen: 1-for-4, R, RBI
- Tyler Struck: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2B
GAME TWO: Doane 16, Midland 5 (7 innings)
Doane opened the game with a run in the bottom of the 1st, seizing the early lead. They capitalized on their momentum in the 3rd, unleashing their bats for four hits, including a leadoff home run, driving in a total of five runs to surge ahead 6-0.
In the top of the 4th, the Warriors loaded the bases with Hadyn Crawford and Tyler Struck drawing walks, followed by Connor Petersen being hit by a pitch. Chase Bouges singled to bring home Crawford and then Yealex Lopez‘s double brought in Petersen and Kirkland. Bouges would later cross the plate on a sacrifice fly by Nathaniel Reyes, narrowing the lead to 6-4.
Hardamon and Freeman hit back-to-back doubles in the top of the 5th, positioning two runners in scoring contention. A sacrifice fly by Petersen plated Hardamon, pulling Midland within a run.
In the home half of the 5th, the Tigers’ offense propelled them into a big lead. They scored 10 runs off of 6 hits with a pair of errors to extend their lead to 16-5.
Doane held Midland scoreless in the 6th and 7th innings, bringing the 10-run rule into play to clinch the win in game two with a final score of 16-5.
Statistical Standouts
- Chase Bouges: 1-for-3, R, RBI
- Yealex Lopez: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
Up next, Midland (24-15, 10-10 GPAC) will host Northwestern (21-19, 12-8 GPAC) in a conference doubleheader on Friday, April 19 at home. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Moller Field in Fremont, Neb.
