Courtesy of Midland Athletics
TUCSON, Ariz. – No. 12 Midland University began play in the Tucson Invitational Games on Tuesday with games against Simpson University and Park University-Gilbert. The Warriors fell to the Red Hawks in their first game, 1-0, and then rebounded for a win over the Buccaneers, 9-5.
GAME ONE: Simpson 1, Midland 0
In the opening game of the day for the Warriors and the Red Hawks, each team’s pitching and defense were on display in the Arizona sunshine. After working around a single in the top of the 1st, Midland worked the bases loaded in the bottom.
Emily Prai was hit by a pitch to lead off and then moved to second via a wild pitch. Two batters later, Reese Floro was plunked and sent to first to put two on. Roni Foote worked a walk but the Warriors were unable to capitalize as the Red Hawks escaped the inning without allowing a run.
Simpson got a runner on base in the 2nd but was held scoreless once more. In their next three ensuing at-bats, they were set down in order. Meanwhile, Midland got a runner on in the 3rd and the 4th but were held off the scoreboard as teams went into 6th tied at 0-0.
In the penultimate inning, the Red Hawks worked a one-out walk but left the bases empty as the Warriors teamed up for a double play against the aggressive offensive attempt.
After sitting Midland down in order in the bottom of the 6th, Simpson came out aggressive in the final inning. A leadoff walk led to a sacrifice bunt to put the runner in scoring position. The next batter flared a single to center and the Red Hawks were able to sprint home for the go-ahead run.
The Warriors would limit the damage to a single run but were unable to find an answer in their last at-bat, falling 1-0.
Aliyah Rincon went seven complete innings with six strikeouts. She allowed just five base runners (three hits and two walks).
Statistical Standouts
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 6 K, 3 H, ER
- Emily Prai: 1-for-2
- Halle Meyer: 1-for-3
GAME TWO: Midland 9, Park-Gilbert 5
In the final game of the day, Midland opened up with a run in each of the first two innings via triples to right field. Roni Foote earned the game’s initial RBI with a two-out triple that scored Jayci Reimers. Matti Reiling‘s triple in the 2nd scored Amanda Schmaderer with no outs.
After the Warriors worked the bases loaded with one out in the 3rd, the Buccaneers were able to escape the potential big inning. They kept Midland scoreless in the 4th as well.
Defensively, with Paeton Coler in the circle, the Warriors went unscathed through the order once and didn’t allow a hit through five complete innings.
Midland added to its lead in the top of the 5th as Reimers and Reese Floro both doubled to start the inning. Floro would work her way to the plate via an infield error, putting the Warriors up 4-0.
In the 6th, MU broke the game open with five runs. Emily Prai singled and then scored after an error. Then, after Floro and Foote both worked walks to load the bases, Schmaderer cleared them with a grand slam home run, staking the Warriors with a 9-0 lead.
Needing to score two runs to extend the game in the bottom of the 6th, Park did just that. In the 7th, after holding Midland scoreless, they attempted one last come back. They scored a pair of runs on a wild pitch and then added another during an error. The Warriors took a collective breath and got a fly ball out to right field to end the game, winning 9-5.
Coler earned the win, pitching 5.2 innings with two hits, two earned runs, and four strikeouts. Alexis Page came on in the 6th to record the final four outs. She allowed a pair of earned runs while giving up one hit.
Statistical Standouts
- Jayci Reimers: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2B
- Reese Floro: 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2B
- Roni Foote: 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB, 3B
- Amanda Schmaderer: 2-for-3, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR
- Matti Reiling: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 3B
Midland (16-3) will be back in action on Wednesday with two more games. They’ll get a rematch with Simpson (8-11) at 1:00 p.m. (CT) and then face Ottawa-Arizona (14-12) at 5:30 p.m.
