Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – After pushing back the series by a day to Sunday afternoon, (RV) Midland University hosted Briar Cliff University in its home finale at Christensen Field. The Chargers spoiled the Warriors’ Senior Day taking both games, 3-2 and 8-3. The two losses drop Midland to 27-10 on the season overall and to 12-4 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Briar Cliff’s record bumps up to 12-4 in the GPAC and 30-10 overall.
GAME ONE: Briar Cliff 3, Midland 2
The Chargers were able to manufacture a run in the top of the 1st as they led off with a single and then got the runner over to third following a pair of wild pitches. With two outs, a single to left brought in the game’s first score.
In the bottom of the 2nd, Carly Pfitzer led off the inning with a solo home run over the left field wall, tying the game at 1-1.
After a scoreless 3rd by both sides, Briar Cliff produced a pair of runs during a two-out rally. With a runner a third, a single to center brought in the first. Two batters later, another single brought home the second run, putting the visitors in front, 3-1.
Midland was held in check until Pfitzer came back up to the plate in the 6th. Once again, she was able to send the ball over the fence for a home run but it was only a solo shot, pulling the Warriors within one.
Briar Cliff was able to seal the win in the 7th as they worked a pair of flyouts in front of a strikeout to end game one. The Chargers were able to connect for 13 hits in the game, 12 of which were singles, while the Warriors were limited to four hits total.
Statistical Standouts
- Carly Pfitzer: 2-fo-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 HR
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 10 K
GAME TWO: Briar Cliff 8, Midland 3
Briar Cliff’s bats stayed hot as they struck for 16 hits in the second game of the day. They got three of those hits in the 1st as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead.
In the home half of the inning, Emily Prai led off with a walk and then moved up to second, and then third, after a pair of wild pitches. With first base open, the Chargers intentionally walked the uber-dangerous Carly Pfitzer with two outs. A third wild pitch gave Aliyah Rincona free pass with ball four. That throw went bouncing around the backstop enough that Prai was able to sprint home to tie the game, 1-1.
The Chargers took the lead on the scoreboard back in the 2nd as they turned a lead-off single, followed by a steal, into one run with a single through the right side. Their lead would grow in the 5th as they strung together two singles and a double to score two runs.
Midland worked one run across during the bottom of the 5th. Keira Painter reached on a one-out walk and then Pfitzer joined her with an intentional walk once more. With two outs, Rincon singled to score Painter and then ended up as second after the throw.
Briar Cliff earned a pair of runs in the 6th and two more in the 7th. They did so with seven singles to go along with an error by Midland.
Down their final at-bat, the Warriors were able to get a run home as Amanda Schmaderersingled to left, driving in Roni Foote who started the inning with a single. Midland was able to work the bases loaded, putting pressure on the BCU defense, but was turned away as the final out was recorded via a strikeout.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB
- Aliyah Rincon: 1-for-4, RBI
- Amanda Schmaderer: 1-for-4, RBI
Midland (27-10, 12-4 GPAC) will look to rebound from its setbacks this week, starting with a road to face Morningside (26-9, 11-3 GPAC) on Tuesday. Game one of the GPAC doubleheader is slated for a 3:00 p.m. start at the Jensen Softball Complex in Sioux City, Iowa.
