Courtesy of Midland Athletics
BELLEVUE, Neb. – Midland University hosted Dakota Wesleyan University at Bellevue West High School’s Allred Field in Bellevue due to unplayable home field conditions following a winter storm. The Warriors dropped game one, 7-3, but rallied in game two with a walk-off 14-13 victory in the ninth inning.
GAME ONE: Dakota Wesleyan 7, Midland 3
The Tigers struck early in the top of the first inning with a two-out rally, stringing together a double and a single to bring in a run. Another single and a fielder’s choice added a second run, followed by a double that made it 3-0.
Brody Boyle drew a walk to open the bottom half of the inning, and Joshua Hardamonfollowed with a double to right-center to score Boyle. Hadyn Crawford then walked, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Nate Reyes. A groundout brought home Hardamon, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
After three scoreless innings, Dakota Wesleyan regained momentum in the fifth, recording three hits and driving in three runs to extend its lead to 6-2. The Tigers tacked on another run with a solo homer in the sixth, making it 7-2.
Midland’s Chris Ortega came in to pinch hit in the seventh and launched a solo home run to left, but the Warriors’ rally fell short as the Tigers secured the 7-3 win.
Statistical Standouts
- Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-3, RBI, R, 2B
- Chris Ortega: 1-for-1, RBI, HR
GAME TWO: Midland 14, Dakota Wesleyan 13
The Tigers carried their momentum into Game 2, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a walk, a double, and a Midland throwing error. They added four more runs in the second on three hits, including a home run, to extend the lead to 6-0.
Midland responded in the bottom of the second as Alec Villanueva and Jacob Liquori drew back-to-back walks, followed by Chase Bouges being hit by a pitch to load the bases. After an out, Hardamon and Crawford were also hit by pitches, forcing in two runs. A wild pitch then allowed Cooper Benecke to score, cutting the deficit to 6-3.
In the third, Kobe Sandstrom walked, with Ben Kirkland entering as a courtesy runner. Kirkland advanced on wild pitches before a walk and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Another wild pitch brought Kirkland home, trimming the deficit to 6-4.
The Warriors surged ahead in the fourth. Ortega led off with a walk, and Deven Gomezdoubled to put two runners in scoring position. A throwing error allowed Ortega and Gomez to score, tying the game at 6-6. A Liquori double drove in another run, giving Midland its first lead. Bouges then crushed a two-run homer, extending the advantage to 9-6.
Midland added another run in the fifth on an Ortega RBI single, making it 10-6. Dakota Wesleyan responded with a run in the sixth and another in the eighth to pull within two, 10-8.
The Tigers stormed back in the ninth, scoring five runs on a combination of singles, doubles, and fielder’s choices to reclaim a 13-10 lead.
Down to their final three outs, the Warriors mounted a thrilling comeback. Bouges led off with a single, followed by a Boyle double to score him. Hardamon singled to put runners on the corners, and a groundout plated Boyle. After back-to-back walks loaded the bases, Sandstrom laid down a bunt single to bring in Hardamon, tying the game at 13-13. With the winning run on third, Villanueva lifted a sacrifice fly, scoring Wandler and securing a dramatic 14-13 walk-off win.
Statistical Standouts
- Brody Boyle: 1-for-1, RBI, 2B, R
- Joshua Hardamon: 1-for-4, RBI, 2B, 2 R
- Chase Bouges: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, HR, 3 R
- Jacob Liquori: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 R
Midland (7-18, 3-5 GPAC) will host Morningside (18-3-1, 5-1 GPAC) in conference doubleheader next weekend. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 at Historic Moller Field in Fremont, Neb.
