HASTINGS, Neb. – Midland University traveled to face Hastings College for a Great Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. Trailing in the late innings of both games, the Warriors battled back in both for the conference sweep. Midland needed extra innings, winning game one 4-3. Game two saw a similar score with the Warriors pulling ahead with two runs in the final scheduled inning for the 4-3 victory and doubleheader sweep.
GAME ONE: Midland 4, Hastings 3
Hastings secured an early 1-0 advantage in the opening inning courtesy of a triple followed by an error. The Broncos extended their lead in the 2nd, making it 2-0.
The Warriors sparked a comeback in the top of the 3rd when Joshua Hardamon reached base due to an error by the Mustangs. Christopher Ortega then hit an RBI double to right-center, allowing Hardamon to score.
Despite the Warriors’ efforts, the Broncos added another run in the bottom of the 3rd, increasing their lead to 3-1.
In the 5th, Yealex Lopez‘s single, followed by a stolen base, set the stage for Hardamon to bring Lopez home with another RBI hit.
Heading into the 6th inning with momentum, the Warriors drew even as Hadyn Crawford earned a walk and Trystan Mills entered as a pinch runner. Mills swiftly stole second base and Deven Gomez‘s single brought him home, leveling the score at 3-3.
The game remained deadlocked after a scoreless 7th inning, leading to extra innings. In the 8th, Connor Petersen initiated the action with a walk, followed by Tyler Struck who reached on a fielder’s choice, prompting Jax Sorenson to pinch run. Nathaniel Reyes was called upon to pinch hit and delivered a triple to right-center, scoring the eventual winning run in Sorenson.
Keegan Adams, who came on in the 6th inning shut down the Broncos in the bottom of the 8th, capping off the Warriors’ comeback win and securing their first conference victory, 4-3.
Statistical Standouts
- Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-4, R, RBI
- Deven Gomez: 1-for-3, RBI
- Christopher Ortega: 1-for-4, RBI, 2B
- Yealex Lopez: 2-for-4, R
- Nathaniel Reyes: 1-for-1, RBI, 3B
GAME TWO: Midland 4, Hastings 3
Following a quiet 1st inning, the Broncos ignited their offense in the 2nd, scoring a run to open the second game’s scoring.
Jacob Liquori sparked the Warriors’ offense in the 3rd inning with a single. Joshua Hardamon‘s double drove in Liquori, leveling the score at 1-1.
Hastings retaliated in the bottom of the 3rd with a double and a single, adding a run to move back in front, 2-1.
After a scoreless 4th inning, Max Duckwiler reached via an error and advanced to second on a groundout. Hardamon’s RBI single brought Duckwiler home, tying the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Broncos persisted, moving in front once more, 3-2, as the game entered its final scheduled inning.
In their final at-bat, Nathaniel Reyes kickstarted the Warriors’ offense with a one-out double. Hadyn Crawford drew a walk, prompting Ben Kirkland into the game as a pinch runner. Liquori’s single drove in Reyes to tie the game and moved Kirkland to third. Hardamon reached on a fielder’s choice, bringing home Kirkland to give Midland a 4-3 lead.
Darius Blasingane came in to close out the game for the Warriors. He shut down the Broncos in the bottom of the 8th as Midland secured the sweep.
Owen Kelley, who came out of the bullpen for the second straight day, earned the win with 2.0 innings pitched. He allowed one run while not giving up a hit or walk. Blasingane picked up his fourth save on the year, with one inning of work. He allowed one hit and struck out one.
Statistical Standouts
- Joshua Hardamon: 3-for-4, 3 RBI
- Jacob Liquori: 2-for-3, R, RBI
- Owen Kelley: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 K
“Two great games, where both teams played good baseball. Our guys were very resilient and found ways to win two close ballgames,” commented head coach Shea Bennett. “Our starting pitching was good, the bullpen was strong, and we put a lot of pressure on the bases offensively. It is great to win on the road in GPAC play. In this conference, every win means a lot so I was proud to see this group respond after a tough day on Saturday.”
Midland (16-6, 2-2 GPAC) is scheduled to Jamestown, North Dakota at the end of next week. The Warriors will take on Jamestown (18-4, 4-0 GPAC) in a conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22.
