Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University hosted No. 13-ranked Bellevue University in a nonconference, nine-inning game on Tuesday night at Moller Field. On a beautiful night, the fans were treated to a thrilling game marked by six home runs and 23 total runs. The contest was a back-and-forth battle, and despite the Warriors’ valiant rally, they ultimately fell to the Bruins, 13-10.
Bellevue kicked off the 1st with a two-run homer, securing an early advantage.
Yealex Lopez struck out to start the home half but reached base due to a wild pitch. After an infield pop-up, Joshua Hardamon stepped up to the plate and delivered a game-tying two-run home run.
The Bruins regained their advantage in the 2nd, with three runs on four hits, going up 5-2.
Nathaniel Reyes ignited the 3rd inning with a solo home run which was soon, followed by a solo shot from Hardamon, his second of the game, narrowing the Warriors’ deficit to one run, 5-4
Seeking to widen the gap, the Bruins unleashed their offense in the 4th, scoring four runs on three hits. After a scoreless fifth, Bellevue added another run in the sixth, making it 10-4 in their favor at the hallway point.
Connor Petersen helped spark the Warriors’ offense with a lead-off single to start the 6th. That sparked a rally that was fueled by a Christopher Ortega single and a double from Tyler Struck that brought home the first run. As Trystan Mills drew a walk, consecutive wild pitches allowed the Warriors to score a pair of runs. Lopez added a double that brought in Mills, and then an error allowed Lopez to score. Heading into the final three innings, Midland trailed Bellevue, 10-9.
After a scoreless 7th for both teams, Lopez tied the game in the bottom of 8th with a solo homer to left field, knotting the game a 10-10.
In the top of the 9th, things looked like the game looked to be trending toward a chance for the Warriors to walk it off in their final at-bat or go into extra innings as Owen Kelley retired two of the first three batters. Unfortunately, another single by the Bruins was followed up with a three-run home run, putting them back in control. The Warriors were sat down in order to end the game, falling 13-10 to the No. 13 Bruins.
Statistical Standouts
- Yealex Lopez: 2-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR
- Nathaniel Reyes: 2-for-5, R, RBI, HR
- Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR, BB
- Tyler Struck: 1-for-3, RBI, 2B
Midland (22-13, 8-8 GPAC) will return to Great Athletic Plains Conference action on Saturday, April 13 when it travels to Sioux City, Iowa to face Briar Cliff (17-14, 8-5 GPAC). First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Bishop Mueller Field.
