Courtesy of Midland Athletics
HASTINGS, Neb. – No. 22-ranked Midland University returned to action on a cold, windy Saturday, taking on Hastings College in a road conference matchup. Despite a late-inning rally, the Warriors fell to the Broncos 8-7 in Game 1. In the second game, a three-run sixth inning lifted Midland to a 3-1 win, earning a split in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play.
GAME ONE: Hastings 8, Midland 7
The Warriors struck first, plating a run in the top of the first as Isabelle Pagan delivered an RBI single to center field. Hastings responded in its first at-bat with two runs on five hits while leaving the bases loaded.
An inning later, the Broncos extended their lead with four runs on three hits, including a three-run home run to make it 6-1. Hastings added another run in the third to build a 7-1 advantage.
Midland began its comeback in the fourth. Danielle Schoby led off with a solo home run, and Alexis Shepherd added a two-out RBI double to left field. Pagan followed with her second RBI of the game, driving in Shepherd with a single to center.
After a scoreless fifth inning, the Warriors pulled even with three runs in the sixth. Shepherd drove in two runs with a single to center, scoring MaKenna Watkins and Grace Behrns, and advanced to second on the throw. Pagan tied the game at 7-7 with another RBI single.
Hastings answered in the bottom half, using a leadoff walk and a single to set up the go-ahead RBI single up the middle.
Campbell Petrick started in the circle, working into the seventh inning while allowing eight runs on 14 hits with two strikeouts. Mackenzie Groninga recorded the final three outs with two strikeouts ahead of her Game 2 start.
Statistical Standouts
- Grace Behrns: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
- Alexis Shepherd: 3-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B
- Isabelle Pagan: 3-for-3, 3 RBI, BB
- Danielle Schoby: 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB, HR
GAME TWO: Midland 3, Hastings 1
The second game opened as a pitcher’s duel, with both offenses held in check. Midland managed just three hits through five innings, while Hastings recorded one hit but loaded the bases twice. The Warriors escaped both threats.
In the sixth, MaKenna Watkins broke the scoreless tie with a two-run home run. Two batters later, Isabelle Pagan added a solo shot to extend the lead to 3-0.
Hastings loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh and pushed across a run with a single to center, but Midland sealed the win with a flyout just behind second base.
Mackenzie Groninga went the distance in the circle, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out nine.
Statistical Standouts
- MaKenna Watkins: 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, HR, SB
- Isabelle Pagan: 1-for-3, R, RBI, HR
- Mackenzie Groninga: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 9 K
Midland (23-10, 6-2 GPAC) returns to action Monday with a road doubleheader at Mount Marty (11-17, 2-6 GPAC). First pitch is set for 3 p.m. in Yankton, South Dakota.
