Courtesy of Midland Athletics
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – No. 13 Midland University was back in action on Monday afternoon as it traveled to take on Dordt University in a rescheduled Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader. Behind three home runs by Roni Foote, the Warriors earned the road sweep, winning 6-0 and 5-1, to put distance between themselves and the Defenders in the conference standings.
GAME ONE: Midland 6, Dordt 0
Through the first few innings, it was a pitcher’s duel as both offenses were limited at the plate. In the 2nd, Midland was able to turn a leadoff double by Matti Reiling into the game’s first run as Ariyana Crafton hit a two-out single into right field.
After three scoreless innings, the Warriors’ attack found its groove following a leadoff home run by Roni Foote. Amanda Schmaderer followed with a single and then Reiling reached with a single to put runners at the corners. With two outs, Aja Henderson delivered a single to center that scored both runners to make it a 4-0 game.
An inning later, Crafton led off the 7th with a triple and then scored as Emily Prai hit a sacrifice fly to center. Foote then came on with two outs and delivered her second homer of the game, a deep shot to straightaway center.
In the circle, Aliyah Rincon had another solid outing with just two hits allowed for the complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts.
Statistical Standouts
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 11 K
- Emily Prai: 1-for-3, RBI, SAC
- Roni Foote: 3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 HR
- Matti Reiling: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2B
- Aja Henderson: 1-for-1, 2 RBI
- Ariyana Crafton: 2-for-3, R, RBI, 3B
GAME TWO: Midland 5, Dordt 1
The second game of the afternoon saw the Warriors jump out in front early courtesy of a 1st inning, two-run home run by Roni Foote. Reese Floro scored on the long ball that cleared the scoreboard after working a walk just ahead of the homer.
In the 4th, Camille Vestal reached with a leadoff walk and then Jayci Reimers doubled to left to put two runners in scoring position. Halle Meyer delivered a sacrifice bunt to score Vestal, giving Midland a 3-0 lead. The advantage was upped by a run in the next at-bat as Ariyana Crafton hit an RBI single to left field.
Dordt threatened in the 5th, leaving a pair of runners stranded, and then scratched the scoreboard an inning later as they strung together three singles to score their first run of the day.
In the top of the 7th, the Warriors tacked on one final run as Reimers hit an RBI single to left. The Defenders were shut down following a bunt single in their final at-bat, giving the Warriors a 5-1 win.
Paeton Coler picked up the win in the circle, going the full seven innings with three strikeouts while scattering eight hits and allowing the lone earned run.
Statistical Standouts
- Roni Foote: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR
- Camille Vestal: 2-for-3, R, BB
- Jayci Reimers: 2-for-4, R, RBI
- Ariyana Crafton: 1-for-3, RBI
- Paeton Coler: 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 K
Midland (34-5, 13-1 GPAC) will continue its run of road games on Friday when it travels to take on Mount Marty (17-17, 8-6 GPAC). The teams will faceoff in Yankton, South Dakota on April 19 at North-East Seratoma Softball Field. First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m.
