Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb.- Midland University hosted a Great Athletics Plain Conference (GPAC) doubleheader against Dordt University on Saturday, completing the four-game series between the two teams this weekend. The Defenders rallied back in the final inning and won game one 4-2 in extra innings before the Warriors bounced back with an 8-3 victory to take the season series, 3-1.
GAME ONE: Dordt 4, Midland 2 (8 innings)
Alec Villanueva homered in the bottom of the 3rd to break the scoreless innings for both teams. The Warriors were only able to put one run off the board with two hits, the second one being a double coming from Trey Nichols before the inning ended.
Villanueva had a hot bat as he started the 5th inning for the Warriors with a double to right field. He found himself advancing to third on a wild pitch. Villanueva found his way to home plate with a sacrifice fly to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.
Dordt broke their scoreless streak in the top of the 7th inning with a home run, followed by two singles. The Defenders scored two runs off three hits to bring the game to a 2-2 tie, forcing extra innings.
The Defenders made a comeback to take game one, scoring two runs off one hit in the top of the 8th, off a two-run home run to center field. Dordt won game one 4-2.
Statistical Standouts
- Alec Villanueva: 2-for-3, RBI, HR, 2R
- Trey Nichols: 1-for-2, RBI
- Owen Kelley: 5.0 IP, 4H, 0 ER, 5 K
GAME TWO: Midland 8, Dordt 3
After a scoreless start for both teams in the 1st, the Warriors’ bats began to strike in the bottom of the 2nd, as Trey Nichols singled to left field. Trey Rodriguez got on first following an error from the Defenders, advancing Nichols. Two Warriors moved into scoring position as Rodriguez advanced to second off a wild pitch. With a groundout, Nichols made it home. Yealex Lopez singled to right field to bring Rodriguez home. Lopez stole second as Jacob Liquori was walked to keep the Warriors still alive. Hadyn Crawford singled to right field to bring Lopez home before the inning ended. The Warriors took an early 3-0 lead.
Jayden Gibson opened the 3rd inning with a double down the line as Trystan Mills was his courtesy runner. With back-to-back sacrifice flies Mills found his way home.
The Warriors continued to boost their lead in the 4th, with back-to-back doubles from Liquori and Crawford to put two Warriors in scoring position early. Petersen doubled to left-center to bring Liquori home. Gibson singled to left field to bring Crawford home. The Warriors scored two runs off four hits to increase their lead to 6-0.
The Defenders were finally able to put runs on the board, as they scored three runs off of three hits in the top of the 5th.
Crawford fired up his bat in the bottom of the 6th as he homered. Petersen singled to third base, advanced to second on an error, and to third on a groundout. Petersen found his way home with a single by Xavior Salazar.
Lucas Hamzeh earned the win, with Jonathan Foreman picking up the save. Hamzeh pitched 5.0 innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs, and four strikeouts. Foreman pitched 2.0 innings with two hits and two strikeouts.
Statistical Standouts
- Hadyn Crawford: 3-for-3, 2 RBI, HR, 2R
- Connor Petersen: 2-for-3, RBI, R
- Trey Nichols: 1-for-3, RBI, R
Midland (14-11) will be back in action against Peru State (6-8) in a non-conference game on Tuesday. The nine-inning contest will occur at Moller Field in Fremont, Nebraska with the first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on March 28.
