Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FOREST CITY, Iowa – No. 19 Midland University opened Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play Saturday with a doubleheader at Waldorf University. In the battle of like-moniker teams, Midland earned a pair of run-rule victories, winning the opener 8-0 in six innings before completing the sweep with an 11-0 victory in five innings.
GAME ONE: Midland 8, Waldorf 0
Midland jumped out with four runs in the first inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, Isabelle Pagan drove in a run on an infield groundout. Jayci Reimers followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to score the game’s second run. Emma Hodnet added a two-out RBI single and later came around to score when Jaidan Wehrle doubled.
Following a scoreless second inning, Wehrle drove in Hodnet during the Warriors’ next trip to the plate with a single after Hodnet had singled and stolen second with two outs.
The lead grew in the fifth as Pagan hit a two-run home run after Alexis Shepherd drew a four-pitch walk.
An inning later, Shepherd put the game out of reach with an RBI single that scored Mara Vonk, who had singled and stolen third before advancing on an infield groundout.
Waldorf was unable to score in the bottom of the sixth to extend the game, as Midland turned a double play to end the contest via the run rule.
Campbell Petrick picked up the conference win, allowing three hits over six innings while striking out six.
Statistical Standouts
- MaKenna Watkins: 2-for-4, R, 2B
- Isabelle Pagan: 3-for-3, R, 3 RBI, HR
- Emma Hodnet: 3-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B, 2 SB
- Jaidan Wehrle: 2-for-2, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 SB
- Campbell Petrick: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 6 K
GAME TWO: Midland 11, Waldorf 0
In the finale, Midland scored five runs in both the second and third innings on its way to the sweep.
In the second, Grace Behrns picked up an RBI after reaching on an error with the bases loaded and no outs. MaKenna Watkins followed with a sacrifice fly before Alexis Shepherdcleared the bases with a double. Shepherd then caught Waldorf off guard by stealing third during a walk to Pagan. Pagan broke from first during the next at-bat to draw a throw as Midland attempted a double steal, allowing Shepherd to score as Pagan retreated safely to first.
The Warriors added five more runs in the third. Anna Tibbetts and Wehrle reached on a single and a walk before a sacrifice bunt by Sophie De Rouin moved both runners into scoring position. Behrns then singled up the middle to drive in both runners and advanced to third on an errant throw from center field.
Watkins followed with an RBI single to score Behrns. Pagan added a run-scoring flyout to shallow right, and Reimers capped the inning with an RBI single to left.
With the outcome no longer in doubt, Midland made several lineup changes and added a final run in the fifth. Chloe Wagner singled, stole second, and later scored on a throwing error to make it 11-0. Wagner then entered the circle and worked a quick bottom half of the inning to secure the victory.
Mackenzie Groninga earned the win with four hitless innings, striking out nine and allowing just one walk. Wagner pitched the final inning, issuing one walk as the duo combined for a five-inning no-hitter.
Statistical Standouts
- Grace Behrns: 1-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB
- MaKenna Watkins: 2-for-2, 2 RBI
- Alexis Shepherd: 2-for-2, R, 2 RBI, BB, 2B, 2 SB
- Jayci Reimers: 2-for-3, RBI, 2B
- Emma Hodnet: 2-for-3, R, 2B
- Anna Tibbetts: 1-for-2, 2 R, BB
- Mackenzie Groninga: 4.0 IP, 0 H, 9 K
Midland (20-8, 2-0 GPAC) returns to action next week for its home opener. The Warriors will host No. 23 Northwestern (18-9, 3-1 GPAC) on Friday at 3 p.m. at Schilke Fields.
