FREMONT, Neb. – No. 13-ranked Midland University played host to Dakota Wesleyan University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader on Friday afternoon. Behind solid defense and pitching, the Warriors earned a sweep of the Tigers by scores of 1-0 and 8-0.
GAME ONE: Midland 1, Dakota Wesleyan 0
The Warriors’ bats were kept quiet in the opening game of the day as the Tigers’ ace gave up just four hits on the afternoon. Emily Prai opened the game with a bunt single but was left stranded in the 1st.
Mia Orduna had the second hit of the game in the 2nd with one out but was replaced on bases as Halle Meyer hit into a fielder’s choice. With two outs, Meyer quickly stole second and then swiped third to put pressure on the DWU defense. A sharp hit ball to the right side of the infield drove in the game’s first, and eventual winning run, as the Tigers’ second baseman was charged with an error.
With Rincon spinning in the circle, Midland looked to give her an insurance run to work with but a single in the 3rd and another in the 5th were unable to produce a second run of the game.
Rincon went through the Tigers’ order once without a hit allowed before allowing a single in the 4th and then worked around a one-out double in the 5th. She finished the game with 12 strikeouts, including three in the final inning.
Statistical Standouts
- Reese Floro: 1-for-3, SB
- Roni Foote: 1-for-2, BB, SB
- Halle Meyer: 0-for-2, R, 2 SB
- Ariyana Crafton: 0-for-2, RBI
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 12 K
GAME TWO: Midland 8, Dakota Wesleyan 0 (5 innings)
In the second game, Midland’s offense woke up with three runs in each of the first two innings as it got another solid performance in the circle, this time from Paeton Coler.
Emily Prai singled and stole a base to start the 1st and then came around to score as Amanda Schmaderer hit a single back up the middle after Roni Foote earned a free pass to first with one out. With Foote on third following a stolen base ahead of the RBI, Schmaderer stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Camille Vestal delivered with a triple to right field, putting the Warriors up 3-0 after one.
Following a second 1-2-3 inning in the top half, Halle Meyer started the bottom of the 2nd with a single. Ariyana Crafton followed with a single to right. The duo scored with a one-out double from Reese Floro and then Floro came in to score as Schmaderer hit a two-out single to right.
In the 4th, after Midland’s bats were kept quiet the inning before, Foote delivered an RBI single up the middle that scored Prai who drew a walk to start the inning. An inning later, Jayci Reimers delivered the game-winning hit as she doubled to the gap in right-center, scoring Rylan Gardner who came on to run for Vestal. The game ended with the mercy rule as the Warriors won 8-0 to complete the sweep.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 1-for-2, 2 R, BB
- Reese Floro: 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI
- Roni Foote: 1-for-2, R, RBI
- Amanda Schmaderer: 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI
- Camile Vestal: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
- Jayci Reimers: 1-for-3, RBI
- Paeton Coler: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 K
Midland (31-4, 10-0 GPAC) will look to extend its winning streak tomorrow on Senior Day when it hosts Jamestown (22-11, 6-6 GPAC). First pitch of the Saturday doubleheader is slated for 1:00 p.m. at the Schilke Fields Complex south of Fremont.
