Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University hosted the University of Jamestown for a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader on Thursday. Originally scheduled to take place up in North Dakota, inclement weather necessitated a relocation to Nebraska. The Warriors triumphed, ending a five-year losing streak against the Jimmies, sweeping the games with scores of 8-3 and 4-3.
GAME ONE: Midland 8, Jamestown 3
In the 3rd inning, Jamestown broke a scoreless deadlock with a run, seizing an early 1-0 lead.
The momentum shifted in the top of the 4th when Joshua Hardamon ignited the Warriors with a single, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Alec Villanueva then singled, bringing Hardamon home. Connor Petersen‘s subsequent single kept the rally alive. As Villanueva stole third, he was able to capitalize on a catcher’s error, extending the Warriors’ lead to 2-1.
The Jimmies retaliated in the bottom of the 4th, knotting the game at 2-2.
Jacob Liquori and Deven Gomez both reached errors with the second miscue allowing Liquori to cross home, putting Midland back in the lead. Hardamon’s intentional walk and further errors allowed Christopher Ortega to reach first, advancing runners and scoring opportunities. With a wild pitch, the Warriors added to their lead, making it 7-2 by the end of the fifth inning.
The 6th inning saw Gomez and Hardamon extend the lead further with a single and a double. Gomez crossed the plate on a groundout, extending the Warriors’ lead to 8-2.
Jamestown managed to add one more run in the bottom of the 6th, but Owen Kelley came in and effectively closed out the game in the final inning.
Keegan Adams earned the win, pitching 2.2 innings while allowing only four hits, one run, one walk, and striking out three batters.
Statistical Standouts
- Alec Villanueva: 2-for-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB
- Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2B
- Deven Gomez: 1-for-3, 2 R
- Connor Petersen: 1-for-2, RBI, 2 SAC
GAME TWO: Midland 4, Jamestown 3
Joshua Hardamon kickstarted the action in the 1st inning with a single, paving the way for Christopher Ortega‘s double to bring him home. Alec Villanueva then delivered a triple to right field, propelling the Warriors to a 2-0 lead.
The Jimmies retaliated in the bottom of the inning, with a double and a single, to notch their first run of the game. Following a few quiet innings from both sides, the Jimmies managed to level the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the 4th.
Tyler Struck made a pivotal impact in the 5th inning, with a home run to left field, swinging the momentum, and the score, back in the Warriors’ favor.
However, Jamestown fought back in the bottom of the 5th, knotting the game at 3-3.
With the game deadlocked after a scoreless 6th and 7th inning, the game which was scheduled for seven innings, went into extras.
The Warriors seized the initiative in the top of the 9th, with Struck igniting the offense with a single. Kirkland entered as his courtesy runner and swiped second base and then advanced to third on a groundout. Jacob Liquori stepped up, delivering a single to bring Kirkland home, giving the Warriors a 4-3 lead.
Working his fifth inning of relief, Darius Blasingane shut down the Jimmies and secured the hard-fought 4-3 victory. Blasingane’s performance included 5.0 innings where he scattered three hits, allowed one run, and struck out six batters.
Statistical Standouts
- Tyler Struck: 2-for-4, R, RBI
- Christopher Ortega: 2-for-4, R, RBI, 2B
- Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-4, R, RBI, SB
- Jacob Liquori: 2-for-4, RBI
- Darius Blasingane: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 6 K
“We knew these were big games for us. Right from the start, our team was fired up and fully prepared to compete,” commented head coach Shea Bennett. “It was without a doubt the finest display of baseball we’ve showcased all season. From the opening pitch to the final out. It felt like a playoff-type atmosphere all day long. Jamestown is a really good team and we knew it was going to be a challenge. Our pitchers consistently delivered in crucial moments, and our hitters rose to the occasion with big-time knocks. It was a testament to our collective effort and determination.”
Midland (18-6, 4-2 GPAC) will have a quick turnaround as they host Dakota Wesleyan (8-13, 2-2 GPAC) on Friday, March 22. The game, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, was moved due to incoming inclement weather. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Moller Field in Fremont.
