Midland Stays Alive in NAIA Softball World Series

Midland Stays Alive in NAIA Softball World Series
May 27th, 2023 | Midland Athletics

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Day two of the NAIA Softball World Series saw a pitcher’s duel as Midland University battled the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma in an elimination game. The Warriors, who have been tested in several extra-inning games this season, used a three-run home run in the top of the 11th and then staved off a comeback attempt by the Drovers to advance to the next round.

Through the first three innings, both teams registered just one hit as Aliyah Rincon went toe-to-toe with Sophie Williams. Rincon worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the 5th. After giving up back-to-back hits and hitting a batter to load the bases, the Warriors’ ace struck out two and got a foul out caught by Ali Smith behind the plate to escape the inning.

The Drovers threatened again in the 8th as they led off the inning with a single and then moved the runner to third with back-to-back sacrifice bunts. The Warriors took the outs and then extended the game another inning as Keira Painter corralled a line drive to right field for the third out.

In the 10th, Midland got a leadoff single by Amanda Schmaderer and moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. USAO got out of the inning as the Warriors flew out for outs two and three.

USAO looked to get things going in the bottom of the 10th as they got the leadoff hitter on with a single. However, the sacrifice bunt attempt popped up just enough for Roni Foote to get under it and then threw it first for the double play. A flyout to left field extended the game another inning.

The top of the 11th saw Midland get a one-out hit from Ariyana Crafton as she hit the ball off the top of the first baseman’s glove and then legged out the single. On the next pitch, Emily Prai followed with a single to left-center to put two runners on with just one out. The team was dialed in as Roni Foote then took the first pitch she saw up and over the left field fence to put the Warriors on top 3-0.

USAO limited the damage, as it got the next two hitters out to keep within striking distance themselves. They then continued their trend of getting the first batter on base and their first run as the second batter hit an RBI double. A single to right field put runners on the corners and brought the potential winning run to the plate with nobody out. After a swinging strikeout, the runner at first drew the throw on an attempted steal. Once again, Midland took the out and conceded the run from third.

With two outs down and the bases empty, the Warriors generated a groundball to Carly Pfitzer at shortstop for the game’s final out.

“Aliyah’s kept us in games all year. As long as we give her run-support, she’s going get us a win,” commented head coach Beth Singleton postgame. “Our defense has been really solid behind her. They know she’s going to pitch outs and they’re willing to make big plays for her.”

Statistical Standouts

Midland (40-14) advances to the next round of the NAIA World Series with the win. They’ll await the loser of the Our Lady of the Lake University and Marian University in an elimination game scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (ET) on Saturday.

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