Courtesy of Midland Athletics
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – As the regular season enters its final week, (RV) Midland University went on the road to face Morningside University on Tuesday. The Warriors and Mustangs entered the day tied for second in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and after splitting their doubleheader, they remained tied along with Briar Cliff with a 13-5 record in conference play.
GAME ONE: Morningside 8, Midland 3
After a scoreless 1st, the Mustangs broke through for the first run of the game in the home half of the 2nd. They did so as an error extended the inning. Two innings later, they would tack on four runs in the bottom of the 4th. Three of the scores were unearned as the Warriors committed two more errors in the frame.
In the top of the 5th, Carly Pfitzer hit a three-run home run to get Midland on the scoreboard. She drove in Emily Prai who reached on a single and Roni Foot who got on base via a fielder’s choice.
Two more runs came in for Morningside in the bottom of the 5th and they tacked on one more for good measure in the 6th. Midland was kept in check and off the bases during its final two at-bats as the Mustangs won 8-3.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 3-for-4, R
- Carly Pfitzer: 1-for-4, R, 3 RBI, HR
GAME TWO: Midland 3, Morningside 1
The second game of the doubleheader was a defensive battle with both offenses held in check through the first four innings. In the top of the 5th, Midland got on the board as Alexis Page, the starting pitcher who was holding Morningside in check, hit a solo home run with one out.
An inning later, Carly Pfitzer drove in the second run of the contest with a single to right field. Emily Prai, who led off with a triple to begin the inning, came in to score what would end up being the winning run.
The Mustangs scored their lone run of the game in the bottom of the inning. They led off with a double, sacrificed the runner to third, and then raced home on an infield groundout.
Leading by a single run, Mia Orduna drove in an insurance score in the 7th. Aliyah Rinconscored after getting on base with an infield bunt and stealing second.
Page would work around a lead-off single in the bottom of the 7th as she went the entirety to earn her third win of the season.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 1-for-4, R, 3B
- Carly Pfitzer: 1-for-3, RBI
- Aliyah Rincon: 1-for-3, R, SB
- Mia Orduna: 1-for-3, RBI
- Alexis Page: 1-for-3, R, RBI, HR… 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 8 K
With four games left, Midland (28-11, 13-5 GPAC) will look to finish strong as they vie for one of the tournament host opportunities. They’ll travel up to North Dakota to face Jamestown (21-17, 8-8 GPAC) on Wednesday afternoon. The teams will take the diamond at Trapper Field for a 2:00 p.m. start. The games will be the first at home for the Jimmies after a very long winter in Jamestown, N.D.
