Courtesy of Midland Athletics
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Play began for Midland University in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Postseason Tournament on Wednesday as it took on the University of Jamestown. The Warriors, who split a doubleheader exactly one week ago up in North Dakota, took the third meeting of the two teams 5-0 and advanced in the winner’s bracket. In the matchup of the two winners, Midland faced Hastings College, a team they split games with earlier as well. The third meeting went to the Warriors as they won 8-0 in five innings.
GAME ONE: Midland 5, Jamestown 0
The Warriors scored early to put pressure on the Jimmies, putting up at least one run through the first three innings.
In the 1st, Amanda Schmaderer drove in Carly Pfitzer with a single. An inning later, Aliyah Rincon singled to lead off the inning and then scored on an error by the left fielder as Mia Orduna reached. With two outs in the inning, Ariyana Crafton drew a throw down to second which allowed Kevin Kight, who came on a as pinch runner, to score from third.
Schmaderer drove in another run in the 3rd as she singled to center. Roni Foote, who earned a lead-off walk, scored on the play.
In the 5th, Schmaderer singled with one out and then came around to score as Rincon doubled to the gap in left-center.
Rincon had a strong showing in the circle, going the full seven innings. She allowed three hits and walked three while striking out 16 batters.
Statistical Standouts
- Amanda Schmaderer: 3-for-3, R, 2 RBI
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 16 K… 2-for-3, R, RBI
GAME TWO: Midland 8, Hastings 0
Thirty minutes after earning their first win, the Warriors took on the Broncos in a winner’s bracket matchup. Hastings began the day with a 3-1 win over host-school Morningside.
Hastings threatened in the top of the 1st, getting the bases loaded with no outs. Alexis Pagesettled in after that with three-straight strikeouts.
In the Midland half of the inning, they jumped out early in the 1st with a two-run home run by Carly Pfitzer. Emily Prai scored after reaching on an error to start the game.
In the 2nd, two more runs came in as Amanda Schmaderer singled to center. A bobble by the fielder allowed Prai and Pfitzer to score from second and first, respectively.
Page led off the 3rd with a double to right center and then Ariyana Crafton followed with an infield double that ricocheted off the third baseman. With two runners in scoring position, Prai ripped a single up the middle, bringing both runners in to make it a 6-0 score. A third run of the inning would come in as Prai raced home on a wild pitch.
After getting held to no runs in the 4th, Roni Foote ended the game with a walk-off run-rule producing double to center in the bottom of the 5th. Prai scored on the play after reaching with an infield single to begin the inning.
Page finished the day with four strikeouts while scattering three hits in five innings of work.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 3-for-4, 4 R, 2 RBI, SB
- Carly Pfitzer: 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
- Amanda Schmaderer: 1-for-1, RBI, 2 BB
Midland (33-12) will await the winner of tomorrow’s noon elimination game as it looks to punch a ticket to the GPAC Championship Series for the third consecutive season. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at the Jenson Softball Complex in Sioux City.
