Courtesy of Midland Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. – Looking to make a statement on the diamond, No. 10 Midland University went up against a pair of ranked teams in No. 17 Ottawa University and No. 11 Baker University on the final day of the Friends Tournament on Saturday. Behind stellar pitching and defense, the Warriors earned shutout wins over No. 17 Ottawa (6-0) and No. 11 Baker (2-0) to improve to 13-2 on the season.
GAME ONE: MIDLAND 6, OTTAWA 0
Aliyah Rincon flirted with a no-hitter as the Warriors gave her six runs of support in the first game of the day. Roni Foote drove in the initial run of the contest in the 1st after Emily Prai reached via an error to start the game. Amanda Schmaderer and Mattie Reiling each had RBIs as well in the inning as Midland seized control early.
After being shutout in the 2nd, Reiling drove in the Warriors’ fourth run in the 3rd with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Reese Floro.
With Rincon dealing in the circle, Floro added two more to the lead in the 4th as she singled to center. Prai and Ariyana Crafton scored on the hit with no outs.
In the 7th, the Braves broke up the perfect-game bit with a two-out single.
Rincon struck out 13 of the 22 batters she faced. She was efficient with just 59 pitches thrown.
Statistical Standouts
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 13 K
- Emily Prai: 2-for-4, 2 R
- Halle Meyer: 2-for-4, R
- Reese Floro: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI
- Matti Reiling: 1-for-2, 2 RBI
GAME TWO: MIDLAND 2, BAKER 0
In the second game of the day, Aliyah Rincon was nearly perfect once more. After yielding a two-out single in the opening inning, she sat 19 of the next 20 batters she faced.
It was a true pitcher’s duel as Rincon went toe-to-toe with the Wildcat’s Kira Baker who was an NAIA All-American last year. Through the first five innings, each team was only able to get two runners on base each.
In the 6th, after the Wildcats’ lineup was sat down in order, the Warriors were able to get their offense going. Ariyana Crafton worked a walk and then moved up to second base via a wild pitch. After Emily Prai reached on a bunt single, Jayci Reimers doubled to bring in the game’s first run. Floro followed with a bunt of her own, loading the bases. Roni Foote forced an infield error, scoring an insurance run.
Rincon wrapped up the game with a 1-2-3 final inning, inducing a groundout, a swinging strikeout, and a flyball to right field to end the game. For the game, she struck out eight batters while giving up one hit
Statistical Standouts
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 8 K
- Emily Prai: 1-for-3, R
- Jayci Reimers: 2-for-3, RBI, 2B
Midland (13-2) will open up its home schedule next when York (2-12) comes to Fremont. The Warriors and Bobcats will play a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday, March 9. This season, Midland has a new home with Schilke Fields serving as the home diamond.
