Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – In a battle of unbeaten teams in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Tournament, second-seeded Midland University faced third-seeded Morningside University on Thursday afternoon at the Schilke Fields Complex. A late-inning surge by the Mustangs lifted them past the Warriors, 7-2.
Morningside plated single runs in each of the first two innings—scoring once on three hits in the first and again on two more hits in the second. Midland responded in the bottom of the second, tying the game at 2-2.
After Alexis Shepherd reached on a one-out error, she stole second to move into scoring position. Jenna Lemley drew a walk, and a sacrifice bunt by Sophie De Rouin advanced both runners. Ariyana Crafton followed with a single to right field, scoring Shepherd easily, while Lemley slid around the tag at home to tie the game.
In the fifth, the Mustangs capitalized on a Midland error and a single to put two runners on. The Warriors recorded the first out on a popup down the line, which was caught by Reese Floro despite contact from the batter-runner. Another error loaded the bases, and a sacrifice bunt pushed across the go-ahead run.
Morningside added two insurance runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh while holding the Warriors to just one hit over the final three innings.
Paeton Coler went 5.2 innings in the circle for Midland, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits with one strikeout. Mackenzie Groninga pitched the final 1.1 innings, striking out two while giving up one earned run on three hits.
Statistical Standouts
- Matti Reiling: 2-for-4
- Ariyana Crafton: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
Midland (37-14) will look to keep its championship series hopes alive on Friday, beginning with an elimination game against Dordt (25-26) at noon. The winner will need to defeat Morningside twice to advance to the GPAC Championship Series.
