Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – (RV) Midland University’s softball program wrapped up its six-game homestand Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader against the University of Jamestown. The Warriors swept the Jimmies, winning game one 8-0 and game two 3-2.
The games marked Midland’s final home games of the 2022 regular season, they’ll finish with a near-perfect 12-1 record. The one loss home season is the fewest home losses for the program in over 15 seasons, a commendable feat for first-year head coach Beth Singleton.
GAME ONE: Midland 8, Jamestown 0
Kaitlyn Rickey kicked the scoring off in the opening inning, knocking a single into right field that allowed Roni Foote to score and break the 0-0 draw.
A pitcher’s duel broke out over the course of the next three innings as neither side recorded a single hit.
In the 5th inning, the Warriors ended their dry spell with four hits earning three runs. Brianna Brabec, Emily Prai, and Aliyah Rincon all scored in the inning as Midland began to pull away, leading 4-0.
Their momentum carried over into the 6th inning. With two outs, they were able to produce a scoring explosion. The Jimmies hit a pair of Warriors’ batters in the inning, setting up Prai for her second RBI when she singled through the right side, scoring Lauryn Johnson. In the next at-bat, Rincon scored both Prai and Brabec with a single up the middle.
Leading 7-0, the Warriors were in a position for a unique walk-off victory, by virtue of the eight-run mercy rule. Sheridan Wayne came on to pinch run for Rincon and after Foote was walked, Midland had runners on second and first.
After stealing third base, Wayne took advantage of a chaotic situation for the Jamestown defenders to seal the victory. As Foote took off for second base the Jamestown catcher overthrew on her attempt to gun down the runner for the third out. The ball sailed past the covering defender, allowing for Wayne to score from third and end the game, 8-0.
Hailee Fliam was outstanding in the circle, going all six innings en route to her second shutout of the season.
Statistical Standouts:
- Emily Prai: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, SB
- Aliyah Rincon: 2-for-4, R, 3 RBI
- Kaitlyn Rickey: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2B
- Hailee Fliam: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 4 K
GAME TWO: Midland 3, Jamestown 2
The Warriors didn’t take long to gain the lead in game two as a single from Roni Foote scored Emily Prai to put them up 1-0 in the 1st inning.
In the bottom of the 4th, Brianna Brabec shined on the base path. Pinch running for Diana Nisbett after a single to left field, Brabec stole second and third base. The Jimmies missed on the throw down to third base and she was able to score on the error and give Midland a 2-0 lead.
Jamestown battled back to tie the game in the top of the 5th inning with a pair of runs, putting the pressure back on the Warriors. They responded in the bottom of the inning when Mia Orduna connected on a single to left field scoring Prai as the eventual game-winning run.
In the circle, Aliyah Rincon held the Jimmies hitless for the opening four innings and pitched all seven innings.
Statistical Standouts:
- Emily Prai: 1-for-2, 2 R, BB
- Roni Foote: 1-for-3, RBI, SB
- Mia Orduna: 1-for-3, RBI
- Sheridan Wayne: 1-for-2, 2 SB
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K… 1-for-1, RBI, BB
Next up for Midland (25-6, 12-2 GPAC) will be a stretch of eight road contests against GPAC foes beginning with a doubleheader against the College of Saint Mary (8-18, 4- 4 GPAC). First pitch of game one is set for 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 in Omaha, Nebraska.
