Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – (RV) Midland University softball continued their six-game homestand on Saturday afternoon with a pair of Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) games against (RV) Northwestern College. The Warriors won both games of the doubleheader, winning 2-1 and 6-2. The victories run their winning streak to four games while keeping their perfect record at Christensen Field intact at 5-0.
GAME ONE: Midland 2, Northwestern 1
The day began with a pitcher’s duel as both teams combined for five hits in the contest.
Midland earned their first run without recording a hit as Aliyah Rincon got on base after the Raiders’ first basemen failed to hang onto the ball and then later advanced to third on a wild pitch in the 1st inning.
Later in the inning, another Raiders’ error, this time in left field, allowed Carly Pfitzer to get on base and Rincon to score the game’s first run.
In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Emily Prai connected on the Warriors’ lone hit of the game when she homered over the left-field wall. The home run extended the Warriors’ advantage to 2-0.
The Raiders began to rally in the 6th inning, hitting a double and then later scoring the runner to cut into the Warriors lead. With a runner in scoring position, the Raiders had a chance to tie the game but Midland ended their scoring chance with a flyball to centerfield.
Pitcher Hailee Fliam and the Warriors’ defense handled business in the 7th inning and secured the game one victory. Fliam went the distance, recording four strikeouts in the game.
Statistical Standouts:
- Emily Prai: 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R
- Hailee Fliam: 7.0 IP, 4 K, 1 ER
Game Two: Midland 6, Northwestern 2
The Warriors’ offense was eager to get their bats going after a cold start to the day and they did so fairly quickly in the second game. Facing the Raiders’ ace who limited them to just one hit from game one, Roni Foote staked the Warriors’ lead in the 1st inning on a fastball, putting it over the left-field wall to score herself, Emily Prai, and Aliyah Rincon.
Midland kept their foot on the pedal as Brianna Brabec scored in the 2nd inning and Pfitzer scored in the 3rd inning to take a 5-2 lead.
To cap their offensive performance, the Warriors tacked on another run in the bottom of the 6th when a passed ball by the Raiders’ catcher allowed Kaitlyn Rickey from third.
In the circle, Rincon pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts, one earned run, and four hits.
Statistical Standouts:
- Roni Foote: 1-for-2, R, 3 RBI, BB
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 10 K, 1 ER
Next up for Midland (17-4, 4-0 GPAC) are the final two home games of their homestand, versus Hastings (12-13, 0-2 GPAC). First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4:00 p.m. at Christensen Field on Tuesday, March 29.
