Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University hosted Northwestern College on Saturday evening for a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader to close out their four-game series. The Warriors’ bats came alive for Senior Day and Alumni Day, thrilling a packed stadium with a sweep — earning a 5-2 victory in game one and an 11-6 win in game two.
GAME ONE: Midland 5, Northwestern 2
After two quiet innings, the Red Raiders struck first in the top of the third, drawing a walk, hitting back-to-back singles, and scoring on a sacrifice fly to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Warriors answered in the bottom of the third, starting with a leadoff double by Brody Boyle. Joshua Hardamon followed with a double of his own to drive in Boyle. On an error by the Red Raiders, Hardamon came around to score, tying the game at 2-2.
Midland kept the momentum going in the bottom of the fourth. Nate Reyes was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and then stole second base. Dax Wandler and Sotero Urenodrew back-to-back walks to load the bases, with Ben Kirkland coming in to courtesy run for Ureno. A single down the right field line by Boyle brought home Reyes and Wandler. Hardamon followed with a single to reload the bases, and a fielder’s choice allowed Kirkland to score, giving the Warriors a 5-2 lead.
The remainder of the game remained scoreless as Midland secured the 5-2 victory. Brandon Creps earned the win, pitching 4.0 innings while allowing four hits, two runs, and two walks, along with two strikeouts.
Statistical Standouts
- Brody Boyle: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, R, 2B, BB
- Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-3, RBI, R, 2B, SB
GAME TWO: Midland 11, Northwestern 6
Northwestern took the early advantage, leading off with back-to-back walks followed by a single to bring in a run. A double then drove in two more, giving the Red Raiders a quick 3-0 lead.
Deven Gomez got the Warriors going in the bottom of the second with a leadoff single. Jacob Liquori and Nate Reyes followed with back-to-back doubles down the left-field line, scoring Gomez and Liquori. Eimir Perez kept the momentum rolling with a two-out double to bring home Reyes. Ben Kirkland followed with an infield single to shortstop, advancing Perez to third. Joshua Hardamon then launched a homer to left field, giving the Warriors a 6-3 lead.
Gomez and Liquori started the bottom of the third with back-to-back singles. Alec Villanuevareached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. With two outs, Perez drew a walk to bring home Gomez and extend the lead to 7-3.
Northwestern tacked on a run in the top of the fourth with a solo homer to left field.
After two scoreless innings, the Red Raiders added another in the seventh, using a single, two wild pitches, and a groundout to cut the lead to 7-5. They continued to chip away, scoring again in the eighth on a hit to make it a 7-6 game.
Perez led off the bottom of the eighth with a single, and Hardamon followed with a double to bring him home. Chris Ortega singled to advance Hardamon to third, with Chase Bougescoming in to pinch run. Bouges promptly stole second base. With two outs, Liquori singled to bring home Hardamon and then stole second, while Bouges stole home plate. Reyes drew a walk, and Villanueva singled to drive in Liquori, giving the Warriors an 11-6 cushion.
Midland held Northwestern scoreless in the ninth to seal a thrilling 11-6 victory on Senior Day, completing the doubleheader sweep and clinching the series win.
“Today was all about the seniors and recognizing them, and it was great to see them win their final two home games,” said head coach Shea Bennett. “They’ve made a big impact on the program and where it is at today.”
Statistical Standouts
- Joshua Hardamon: 3-for-5, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2B, HR
- Jacob Liquori: 3-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2B, SB
- Nate Reyes: 2-for-4, RBI, R, BB, 2B
- Eimir Perez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB, 2B, SB
Midland (20-26, 16-12 GPAC) will begin its postseason run on Wednesday as the No. 5 seed. The Warriors will face No. 4 seed Briar Cliff (24-21, 17-11 GPAC) in the opening round of the GPAC Tournament. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on April 30 at Plum Creek Park in Seward, Nebraska.
