Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – There was plenty of tension and excitement on Monday night as No. 13-ranked Midland University hosted Morningside University in a rescheduled doubleheader at Schilke Fields. In the first game of the evening, Aliyah Rincon faced 21 batters and sat all 21 down as she threw the second perfect game of her college career, with the Warriors winning 4-0.
In the second game, the Mustangs battled back to tie the game in the 5th inning but were unable to earn the split as Roni Foote hit a walk-off line drive to propel Midland to a 3-2 win and a sweep in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) action. The wins put the Warriors into a tie atop the conference standings with No. 11-ranked Northwestern. Both teams are now 8-0 in the GPAC.
GAME ONE: Midland 4, Morningside 0
Aliyah Rincon pitched a gem in the opening game of the evening, sitting down all 21 Mustangs she faced. On a handful of occasions, the batters from Morningside were able to get ahead in the count, but each time the veteran hurler got out of the potential jam with five strikeouts and steady play by the Midland defense.
At the plate, Midland was able to get ahead early as Camille Vestal hit a two-out single that scored Roni Foote in the 1st inning. In the 3rd, It was Foote using her footwork to score. After stealing second, she popped up and took advantage of a poor throw by the Mustangs’ catcher. As the ball rolled into the gap between the outfielders, Foote was able to scamper the final 90 feet home to put the Warriors up 2-0.
In the 6th, Reese Floro reached on a fielder’s choice with two runners on and two outs. Both runners were able to score on the play as Halle Meyer reached third on an error and then made her way home. Ariyana Crafton moved to second, then third on the error. With the fielders still collecting the ball, she raced home and scored to put Midland up 4-0.
Statistical Standouts
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 5 K
- Reese Floro: 2-for-3, BB
- Roni Foote: 0-for-3, 2 R, BB, SB
- Camille Vestal: 1-for 3, RBI
- Ariyana Crafton: 2-for-3, R
GAME TWO: Midland 3, Morningside 2
The second game of the night saw Midland take a two-run lead in the 3rd innings as Reese Floro delivered a one-out single up the middle that scored Halle Meyer and Emily Prai who had reached via singles and then advanced into scoring position. The lead nearly grew as Roni Foote‘s line drive into right field was corralled for the start of a double play.
Midland was able to string a few hits together in the 4th but was held in check by the Morningside defense.
In the top of the 5th, the Mustangs were able to work a pair of walks with one out and then were able to score via an error followed by a fielder’s choice. After the runs to tie the game at 2-2, the Warriors made a couple of defensive switches. One of those changes was bringing in Aliyah Rincon, who had baffled the opposition in the first game. She was able to get out of the inning with a flyout followed by a groundout to the circle.
The momentum was primed to shift back to the Warriors’ in the 5th as Ariyana Crafton reached on an error and then Foote singled through the right side with two outs. Morningside was able to escape though with a groundout, sending the game into the final two innings deadlocked.
After a 1-2-3 top half of the 6th, Mia Orduna reached via an error to start the home half. She was left stranded though as the Mustangs’ pitcher got three flyballs to get out of the inning.
In the 7th, Rincon’s streak of 26 batters retired ended as the leadoff hitter was able to flare a ball over the right fielder for a triple. That hit, stoked the fire in Rincon as she sat down the next three Mustangs via strikeouts.
That finish to the top of the 7th fired up the Midland offense as Emily Prai singled and Reese Floro worked a walk with one out. That brought up Foote, who has had the Mustangs’ number during her time as a Warrior. She battled at the plate and hit a line drive to right field. With a full head of steam, Prai rounded third and headed home to score the game-winning run.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 2-for-4, 2 R
- Reese Floro: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, BB
- Roni Foote: 3-for-4, RBI, 2B
- Halle Meyer: 1-for-3, R
- Aliyah Rincon: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 K
Midland (29-4, 8-0 GPAC) will return to action this weekend with two more doubleheaders scheduled at home. On Friday, April 12, they’ll take on Dakota Wesleyan (13-15, 1-5 GPAC) at 3:00 p.m. on Alumni Day. Then, they’ll host Jamestown (20-9, 6-4 GPAC) on Saturday, April 13 at 1:00 p.m. for Senior Day.
