Courtesy of Midland Athletics
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – On the final day of the 2024 Kansas City Softball Invitational, No. 10-ranked Midland University faced a pair of schools from the Heart of American Athletic Conference. In the first game of the day, the Warriors needed extra innings to defeat Benedictine College, 9-8 in eight innings. Against Missouri Valley College in the finale, the Warriors were dominant defensively, winning 6-1.
GAME ONE: Midland 9, Benedictine 8 (8 innings)
For the second straight season, the Warriors and Ravens needed extra innings to decide the outcome of their nonconference matchup. Unlike last year’s meeting, runs weren’t at a premium as the teams combined for 17 runs on 23 hits.
After a scoreless opening inning, Benedictine strung together three hits to net their first run in the top of the 2nd. In the bottom of the 3rd, Midland broke through as Halle Myer launched a leadoff home run to tie the game.
In the 4th, the Ravens hit their first round-tripper. The third batter of the inning homered and drove in three runs. Later in the top half of the inning, they netted an additional run via a wild pitch to make the score 5-1.
Midland countered with its second homer in the bottom of the 4th. Camile Vestal hit a two-run home run with one out, scoring Amanda Schmaderer who had earned a leadoff walk.
Trailing 5-3, the Warriors were able to take their first lead in the 5th. After Reese Floro and Roni Foote hit back-to-back two-out singles, Schmaderer cleared the bases with a three-run shot over the fence, putting Midland in front 6-5. The lead was short-lived as Benedictine scored three runs on three hits in the 6th.
Jayci Reimers came through with a sacrifice fly RBI, scoring Meyer in the bottom of the 6th. Then, after Foote was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Schmaderer worked a walk to score Emily Prai, who had reached on a single earlier. Heading into the final scheduled inning, the teams were tied 8-8.
In the 7th, the Ravens were held in check despite a leadoff single. In the bottom half, the Warriors went down in order to send the game into extra innings.
With the international tie-breaker rule in effect, Benedictine was unable to move the placed runner at second base more than one position on the base path.
Midland fared better with the advantage of a runner in scoring position to start their half of the 8th. Aggressive running saw the first out happen at home plate, but two straight walks issued to Floro and Foote brought in the game-winning run for the Warriors.
Paeton Coler and Alexis Page both pitched 3.0 innings without a decision as Aliyah Rincon pitched the final 2.0 innings to earn the win.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 2-for-5, 2 R
- Reese Floro: 2-for-4, R, BB
- Amanda Schmaderer: 1-for-2, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR
- Camile Vestal: 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
- Halle Meyer: 1-for-3, 2 R, RBI, HR
GAME TWO: Midland 6, Missouri Valley 1
In the final game of the day and invitational, Midland was solid in the circle and defensively as they limited Missouri Valley to just two hits. Offensively, the Warriors had a dozen hits but were limited by the Vikings who got timely outs.
Matti Reiling drove in the first run of the game in the 1st as she drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Reese Floro with two outs. The Vikings escaped a more troublesome inning as they recorded the final out. They then held the Warriors in check the next two innings, not allowing a hit the next two innings.
In the 4th, Midland’s offense got going again as Amanda Schmaderer led off with a double to the gap in right-center. She moved up to third on a wild pitch. After a walk of Halle Meyer, followed by her stealing second, the Warriors had two runners in scoring position with one out.
Mia Orduna singled through the right side to bring in both runners. Then, a single by Emily Prai brought in Orduna to make it a 4-1 game.
It looked as if the lead would grow in the 5th as Midland hit back-to-back singles to start the top half. Missouri Valley got out of the inning though with a double play and a groundout.
Isabelle Pagan got things started in the 6th as she came on to pinch hit and reached on a single to left. Emily Prai hit a ground-rule double to put two runners in scoring position. Floro came through with a pair of RBIs with a single to left.
The Warriors were nearing a complete-game shutout but in the bottom of the 6th, the Vikings hit a two-solo home run.
Aliyah Rincon had a solid outing in the circle, going the distance with only two hits allowed while striking out nine batters.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 2-for-4, R, RBI
- Reese Floro: 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI
- Amanda Schmaderer: 3-for-4, R
- Mia Orduna: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI
Up next, Midland (9-2) is scheduled to make its home opener a week from Wednesday against Peru State (0-4). The Warriors will play their inaugural game out at Schilke Fields in Fremont. First pitch of the single varsity game is slated for 5:00 p.m. with a junior varsity game prior at 3:00 p.m.
