Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University secured a dramatic 7-6 walk-off victory over Graceland University in its home opener at Moller Field on Tuesday evening.
After two scoreless innings, Kobe Sandstrom sparked the Warriors’ offense in the third with a double to center field. Ben Kirkland entered as a courtesy runner and promptly stole second to move into scoring position. A sacrifice fly by Jacob Liquori brought Kirkland home, putting Midland on the board first. Joshua Hardamon reached on an error and advanced to second on a wild pitch, setting up Hadyn Crawford‘s RBI single through the left side to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.
In the fourth, Alec Villanueva drew a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on an error by the Yellowjackets’ catcher. He later scored on a wild pitch, extending Midland’s lead to 3-0.
The Warriors kept the momentum rolling in the fifth as Liquori doubled to right-center, followed by a two-run home run from Hardamon to push the lead to 5-0.
Starting pitcher Lucas Hamzeh was dominant through five innings, holding Graceland scoreless while striking out three, walking one, and allowing just three hits.
Graceland broke through in the seventh, scoring five unearned runs to tie the game at 5-5.
Midland responded in the bottom half of the inning when Anthony Martinez drew a walk, followed by a Garrett Freeman double that advanced Martinez to third. Chris Ortega then delivered a single through the left side, bringing home Martinez to put the Warriors back in front, 6-5.
The Yellowjackets answered in the ninth, drawing a walk and stealing both second and third before a single tied the game at 6-6.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Eimir Perez kept Midland’s hopes alive with a single up the middle. Nate Reyes was hit by a pitch, and both runners advanced on stolen bases to put two Warriors in scoring position. A single down the right-field line plated Perez, sealing a thrilling 7-6 walk-off victory.
Derek Lambert earned the win for Midland, pitching one inning with two strikeouts, one walk, one run, and one hit allowed.
“[Lucas] Hamzeh threw the ball well and gave us a great quality start. It was a complete team win with a lot of guys getting opportunities. Happy to get a good win and build some momentum going into conference play this weekend,” said head coach Shea Bennett.
Statistical Standouts
- Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-3, 2 RBIs, HR, 2B, 2 R
- Alec Villanueva: 1-for-4, 2B, R, SB
- Jacob Liquori: 1-for-4, RBI, 2B, R
- Eimir Perez: 1-for-1, R, 2 SB
- Hadyn Crawford: 1-for-3, RBI
- Chris Ortega: 1-for-2, RBI
Midland (3-13) opens conference play against Doane University (13-2) with a doubleheader on Thursday, March 13. First pitch is set for 1 p.m., with Game 2 to follow. The games were originally scheduled for Saturday but were moved up due to the weather forecast.
