Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, NEB. – Midland University hosted Doane University in its final regular season games on Sunday at Historic Moller Field. The Warriors battle the Tigers throughout but ultimately fell to the regular season champions, 13-2 and 11-8. Midland finishes sixth in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) with a 12-16 record.
GAME ONE: Doane 13, Midland 2
The Tigers started strong with a home run, single, and double to score the three runs to the board of the contest in their first at-bat. Doane carried the momentum into the 2nd inning with a two-run homer to extend their lead to 5-0.
Nathaniel Reyes started the Warriors in the 2nd with a single and quickly stole second base to follow. With a groundout, Reyes made it to third to put him in the scoring position. Beau Boyle singled to center field to bring him home, giving Midland its first run of the game.
Doane’s bats continued to strike as they brought in two runs off four hits, including a double and three singles in the top of the 3rd. After a quiet 4th, the Tigers scored another three runs to boost their lead to 10-1.
Jayden Gibson broke a three-inning scoreless drought for the Warriors with a solo homer to left field.
In the final inning, Doane tacked on three more runs to complete the 13-2 victory and earn the outright GPAC regular season title.
Statistical Standouts
- Jayden Gibson: 1-for-3, R, RBI, HR
- Beau Boyle: 2-for-3, RBI
- Nathaniel Reyes: 1-for-3, R
GAME TWO: Doane 11, Midland 8
After a scoreless 1st, the Tigers recaptured the energy from game one as they opened up the 2nd inning with a solo home run. Their bats continued to strike, racking up a total of five hits which resulted in six runs. The Tigers’ lead grew to 8-0 in the 4th with a two-run homer.
Down but not out, the Warriors broke through for their first scores in the bottom of the 4th as Hadyn Crawford got Midland started with a single. Jayden Gibson doubled to left center to put himself and Crawford into scoring position. Alec Villanueva doubled to left center to bring both runners in to make it an 8-2 game.
After Doane was able to add another run to their lead, Midland added one of its own in the 5th.
Yelaex Lopez singled out to the shortstop to open the home half of the inning. Jacob Liquorireached first on a fielder’s choice just before Crawford and Connor Petersen drew back-back walks from the Tigers to load the bases up with two outs. Gibson drew a walk to bring in a run as Midland trailed 10-6 through five complete.
Following a solo homer for the Tigers in the 6th, Trey Rodriguez drew a walk to get things started for the Warriors. A pitch plunked Tyler Foster and then Jacob Liquori stepped up to the plate and smashed a three-run homer, narrowing the lead to 10-6.
Midland pulled a run closer in the 7th, as Petersen singled up the middle and advanced to third on an error. A sacrifice fly by Gibson brought him home, drawing the Warriors within three runs.
Continuing to add runs to the board, The Tigers went out with a bang in the 9th with a solo home run to right field.
The Warriors battled to the end, getting a leadoff solo homer by Crawford to start the 9th. The final comeback attempt, and the game, came to a close as the Tigers escaped with the 11-8 win.
Statistical Standouts
- Jacob Liquori: 1-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR
- Jayden Gibson: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B
- Alec Villanueva: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2B
- Hadyn Crawford: 3-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B, HR
Midland (21-26, 12-16 GPAC) will compete in the four-team pod in Seward, Nebraska this week along with Morningside (34-14, 20-8 GPAC), Northwestern (19-29, 12-16 GPAC), and the host Concordia (35-15, 21-7 GPAC). Play begins on Thursday, as the Warriors take on the Mustangs at 3:00 p.m. at Plum Creek Park.
