Courtesy of Midland Athletics
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Midland University continued its play in the Firestorm Invitational with an afternoon game with Park University-Gilbert on Friday. It was a beautiful start to the day with temperatures in the 70s in Arizona. The offenses took the warmth of the day and translated into a combined 42 runs. Park came away with the bulk of the scoring, taking the game 28-13.
The Buccaneers started strong in the top of the first, scoring five runs off of one hit as the Warriors committed an error that allowed the inning to get out of hand. They battled back though with four runs of their own.
After a pair of walks with a double squeezed in between to load up the bases, Jayden Gibson got Midland on the board with a two-RBI single up the middle. Another walk filled the bases once more and then it was Alec Villanueva’s turn to bring in a run with a single through the right side. Gibson would find his way home on the play as Park bobbled the ball on its return to the infield.
With the high-scoring first inning in the books, the Buccaneers continued the trend as they hit a two-run home run and scored an additional run before the Warriors could retire the side.
In the 2nd, Midland was able to get two runs back. Nathaniel Reyes worked his way around the bases. After getting hit by the pitch as the lead-off hitter, he stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Garrett Freeman brought him home with an RBI single. He would later score on a passed ball to make it 9-7 after two complete innings.
In the third, the Warriors were able to settle in on the mound. They allowed one run on two hits setting up a chance for the offense to begin their rally in the bottom of the inning.
Beau Boyle doubled out to center with one out and then Dax Wandler was given a free pass via the walk to first. With Boyle at third, following a passed ball in the previous at-bat, Gibson singled through the left side to bring in the first run. After a strikeout for the second out of the inning, Villanueva singled to left field, driving home Wandler. A third of the way through what would be a marathon of a game, Park lead Midland, 9-8.
After shutting down the Buccaneers’ offense in the top of the 4th, the Warriors were eager to keep their offense going. Trey Rodriguez did so with a hit through the left side to get on first. Boyle followed with a single up the middle to put runners on the corner with one out. Wandler collected the third hit of the inning, singling home Rodriguez from third. After a strange batter’s interference call for out number two, the Warriors worked the double steal to perfection. Wandler took off for second, drawing the throw from the catcher. Boyle turned on the jets to score ahead of the tag attempt, giving the Warriors their first lead. After a little bit of pickle, Wandler reached second with a stolen base.
The lead was short-lived as the Buccaneers struck for nine runs in the top of the 5th. They send 14 batters to the plate, collected 10 hits, and left a pair of runners on base.
Trailing 18-10, the Warriors’ offense continued to score runs. They put two on the board in the bottom of the 5th as Trey Rodriguez drove in Hilton Mehrmann and Villanueva with a double down the left-field line.
After an unusually quiet 6th inning that saw just one hit from each side, Park tacked on its 19th run of the game with a solo home run, the third of the day.
The Warriors were held in check in the 7th before the Buccaneers fired their bats back up to boost their lead to double digits as they scored six runs in the top of the 8th. In the bottom of the inning, Tyler Foster drove in Wandler with a sacrifice fly which proved to be the final run for the team.
Park put three runs on the board in the top of the 9th to finalize the scoring, 28-13.
The Buccaneers scored 28 runs on 28 hits while committing errors. Midland put up 13 runs on 18 hits with 3 errors committed as well.
On the mound, Midland used six pitchers with Owen Kelley going 3.0 innings in the start as he gave up four earned runs. Zachary Vincent was the first arm out of the bullpen and was handed the loss. He went 1.1 innings with seven runs allowed but only five earned. Trey Nichols, Jay Lambert, Cody Kent, and Brandon Creps combined to finish the final 3.2 innings in relief of the four-hour game.
Statistical Standouts:
- Jayden Gibson: 4-for-6, 3 RBI, R
- Trey Rodriguez: 3-for-6, 2 RBI, R
- Alec Villanueva: 3-for-6, 2 RBI, R
- Dax Wandler: 2-for-3, RBI, 2 R, SB
- Garrett Freeman: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R
Midland (0-3) will look to replenish their bodies before playing their final game of the Firestorm Invitational on Saturday. They’ll take the field at Glendale H.S. for a 7:00 p.m. CT first pitch in their rematch with host Arizona Christian (8-3).
