MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Midland University baseball came away with a late-night split against Valley City State University on Friday night. The Warriors dropped a 7-1 decision in game one, which featured a 10:00 p.m. first pitch, but rebounded with a 6-2 win in the finale.
Midland moves to 10-9 on the year after a 3-1 series against Valley City State. The Vikings drop to 5-8 overall.
Game One: Valley City 7, Midland 1
The Vikings struck first, plating a run as a leadoff double came around to score in the bottom of the first. Brendan Jones got out of the inning with a looking strikeout to halt the surge. Midland responded immediately as Matt Abdelnour launched a leadoff, line drive homerun to tie things up in the second inning. The Vikings would execute a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the inning.
Valley City strung together three-straight singles in the bottom of the second, one of which score a run to bring the score to 2-1. A sacrifice bunt moved runners into scoring position, and an untimely infield error by Midland allowed another run to score. The Vikings continued to pressure the defense, putting runners in motion and stealing home to extend the lead to 4-1. Jones picked up another looking strikeout to get out of the inning.
The third inning was a quiet one as neither team could get much going offensively. The fourth inning was a different story as VCSU plated two more runs to extend the lead to 6-1. Midland continued to struggle at the plate, as each attempt to get runners in scoring position was halted by a defensive gem. Valley City scored their seventh run of the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning by way of a long ball to left field, elevating the score to 7-1.
Midland was down to its final two outs in the seventh as Tyler Foster drilled a double to left field. Sam Braun followed up with a walk to put a pair on base. Valley City got out of trouble with a fielder’s choice and a strikeout to end the threat, running away with a 7-1 win.
Statistical Leaders:
– Matt Abdelnour: 3-of-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 run
– Tyler Foster: 1-of-1, 2B
Game Two: Midland 6, Valley City 2
The nightcap looked to be more of a pitcher’s duel as the Vikings held a 2-0 advantage into the sixth inning. Starting pitcher Steven Boyd picked up six strikeouts through five innings, keeping his team in the ballgame. Midland got things going in the sixth inning, loading the bases after an error, walk, and hit by pitch. Dakota Thornton singled to left field to plate two runs, tying the score at 2-2.
Kyle Weber took one for the team, shouldering a hit by pitch to load the bases for the second time in the inning. Sam Braun took advantage of the situation and cleared the bases off a double down the right field line. The Vikings would get out of the inning after a bunt attempt by Chase Reynolds, but the damage was done as Midland took a 5-2 lead. Boyd continued to dominate on the mound in the bottom of the frame, sending the VCSU batters back to the dugout in quick fashion.
The Warriors looked to add insurance runs in their final trip to the plate, and Abdelnour got things started with a leadoff single to left field. The single was erased as the pinch runner was caught stealing, but a runner was immediately back on base after a Peyton Garbers walk. Thornton doubled to left field to score Garbers from first, bringing the score to 6-2. The Vikings led off with a bunt single in the bottom of the seventh, but three-straight fly-outs eliminated the threat, giving Midland the 6-2 win.
Statistical Leaders:
– Dakota Thornton: 2-of-4, 3 RBI, 2B, Run
– Sam Braun: 1-of-3, 3 RBI, 1 2B
– Steven Boyd: 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 9 K
Up Next
Midland (10-9) will have a lengthy break before kicking off Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) action on March 20. The Warriors will take on (RV) Concordia University for a four game home and away series on March 20 and 21. The first two games will be played in Seward with the finale two taking place at home. Both doubleheaders will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the second game to follow.
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