Courtesy of Midland Athletics
YANKTON, S.D. – With the end of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) regular season looming, No. 24 Midland University opened the week with a Tuesday trip to face Mount Marty University. Extra innings were needed in the opener, as the Warriors scored twice in the ninth for a 3-1 win. In game two, Mackenzie Groninga, the reigning GPAC Pitcher of the Week, baffled the Lancers with her first collegiate no-hitter in a 2-0 victory to complete the sweep.
GAME ONE: Midland 3, Mount Marty 1 (9 innings)
With Campbell Petrick in the circle, Midland kept Mount Marty off the scoreboard through the scheduled seven innings. The Lancers stranded six runners over that stretch, while the Warriors also struggled to capitalize, leaving seven on base through regulation.
In the eighth inning, Isabelle Pagan broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single to left, scoring Alexis Shepherd, who had led off the frame with a base hit. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Lancers answered with a single, a sacrifice bunt, and another single to even the score.
Sophie De Rouin led off the ninth with a single to spark Midland’s offense. Jaidan Wehrlefollowed with a full-count at-bat and delivered the eventual game-winning hit, a two-run home run.
Mackenzie Groninga, who entered in the eighth, retired the Lancers in order in the ninth with three strikeouts to earn the win in relief. Petrick went 7.1 innings, allowing one earned run on eight hits with five strikeouts.
Statistical Standouts
- Jaidan Wehrle: 1-for-4, R, 2 RBI, BB, HR
- Alexis Shepherd: 1-for-3, R, 2 BB
- Isabelle Pagan: 1-for-4, RBI, BB
GAME TWO: Midland 2, Mount Marty 0
Back in the circle after earning the game one win, Mackenzie Groninga went right back to work against the Lancers. She recorded three strikeouts through the first four innings before Midland’s offense broke through.
In the top of the fifth, Mara Vonk pinch hit and reached on an infield error. She stole second and later scored on a single by Jaidan Wehrle. Maddison Zach, running for Wehrle, came around to score as Alexis Shepherd delivered an RBI double to left.
Those runs proved to be all the offense Midland needed, as Mount Marty was held hitless the rest of the way.
Groninga remained dominant in the circle, striking out five over the final three innings to complete the no-hitter. She finished with eight strikeouts and five walks in seven innings.
Statistical Standouts
- Jaidan Wehrle: 2-for-4, RBI
- Alexis Shepherd: 2-for-3, RBI, 2B, 2 SB
- Mara Vonk: 0-for-1, R, SB
- Mackenzie Groninga: 7.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 5 BB, 8 K
Midland (33-11, 15-3 GPAC) will look to keep things rolling Friday against Morningside (22-14, 13-3 GPAC). The teams will play a conference doubleheader in Sioux City, Iowa, with the first pitch from Jensen Softball Complex scheduled for 3 p.m.
