Courtesy of Midland Athletics
TUCSON, Ariz. – After a late night of games on Tuesday, No. 12 Midland University was back in action under the Arizona sunshine on Wednesday for two more games at the Tucson Invitational Games. The Warriors avenged an opening day loss to Simpson University, 10-1 in six innings, and then fell to Ottawa University of Arizona, 5-2, to split the second day.
GAME ONE: Midland 10, Simpson 1 (6 innings)
Midland bounced back against Simpson in a big way on Wednesday after dropping the first meeting on Tuesday evening. Behind another solid outing from Aliyah Rincon, the Warriors held the Red Hawks to just one run while providing ten rules of support for their ace.
Midland took advantage of an extended inning in the 1st, driving in Emily Prai who reached via an error. With two outs, Roni Foote single to left to drive in the game’s first run. After Foote stole second, Amanda Schmaderer drove in her first RBI with a single to left as well. Both runs in the inning were unearned for the Red Hawks.
In the 3rd, Foote and Schmaderer sparked the offense once more with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly, respectively. Jayci Reimers, who led off the inning with a double, and Reese Floro, who followed with a single, scored the runs to put Midland up 4-0.
The Warriors worked the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the 4th. Foote picked up her third RBI of the game as she was hit by a pitch. Then, Schmaderer drove in two runs with a double to put pressure on the Red Hawks, heading into the final innings.
Simpson’s defense stood firm in the 5th, setting up a chance to cut into its deficit in the bottom half. They did just that, getting the base loaded with three straight singles. They broke through with one out, scoring on an uncharacteristic walk from Rincon.
Looking to put the game out of reach, Midland’s bats came alive in the 6th. Reimers, Floro, and Foote all reached to load the bases for Schmaderer. She came through with a clutch triple to right field, putting the game’s outcome out of question.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Red Hawks were sat down in order and the Warriors won via run-rule, 10-1.
Statistical Standouts
- Aliyah Rincon: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
- Emily Prai: 1-for-4, 2 R
- Jayci Reimers: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2B
- Reese Floro: 1-for-3, 3 R, BB
- Roni Foote: 3-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B
- Amanda Schmaderer: 3-for-3, 7 RBI, 2B, 3B
GAME TWO: Ottawa Arizona 5, Midland 2
Coming off a win earlier in the day, Midland looked to extend its winning streak to three games on Wednesday evening against Ottawa Arizona. Things were trending that way early as the Warriors plated a pair of runs in the 2nd.
Mattie Reiling got things going with a ground-rule double that hopped the right-center field wall. Camile Vestal quickly drove her in with a single up the middle with one out. After moving to second via a passed ball, Halle Meyer drove in Vest with a sacrifice fly to center after two complete innings.
In the top of the 4th, the Spirit broke through as they pieced together a run. A leadoff single was followed by a sacrifice bunt. A double to the right field line scored the Ottawa runner, cutting the lead in half.
Following a scoreless bottom half and a pair of 1-2-3 outings in the 5th, the Spirit got their bats going in the top of the 6th. A single and an error put the two batters on base. Then, an error followed by a fielder’s choice scored two runs to put OUAZ in front. They added an insurance run via an infield groundout, putting the Spirit up 4-2 with just six out for the Warriors to work with.
In the bottom of the 6th, Midland got a one-out single from Roni Foote and then saw her advance to second via a wild pitch. She was left stranded though as Ottawa induced back-to-back ground outs to short stop.
The Spirit tacked on an additional insurance run in the 7th and then sat the Warriors down in order in the bottom half to secure the game’s outcome, 5-2.
Paeton Coler was dealt the loss, going 7.0 innings with five runs allowed (two earned).
Statistical Standouts
- Matti Reiling: 1-for-3, R, 2B
- Camile Vestal: 1-for-3, R, RBI
- Halle Meyer: 1-for-2, RBI
Midland (17-4) will continue play in the Tucson Invitational Games on Thursday, taking on William Penn (9-11) and Olivet Nazarene (4-12). Game times are set for 1:00 p.m. (CT) and 3:30 p.m. (CT).
