Courtesy of Midland Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. – Taking the field for the final two times of the weekend, No. 22 Midland University faced (RV) Mount Mercy University and Missouri Valley College on Saturday. The Warriors took the first game of the day, 5-3 over the Mustangs, and then dropped a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Vikings. The split moves Midland to 8-6 on the season.
GAME ONE: Midland 5, Mount Mercy 3
After falling behind by a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd, Midland rallied with two runs of its own in the bottom of the inning as Mia Orduna drove in Carly Pfitzer and Diana Nisbett following an infield error by the Mustangs’ second baseman, to make it 2-2.
That’s where things stood heading into the Warriors’ half of the 5th. Emily Prai led off with a single and then Kiera Painter reached on a bunt to set the table for the heart of the Midland lineup. Roni Foote flew out to foul territory, moving both runners up a position, and then Carly Pfitzer drove them both in two batters later with a single to left field.
In the 6th, back-to-back walks put Aliyah Rincon and Orduna aboard and then Ariyana Crafton singled to load the bases with no outs for the top of the order. Prai came through with an RBI single, scoring just one run to give Midland another insurance run heading into the final inning.
Mount Mercy was able to garner a run in the 7th but left a runner stranded as the Warriors sealed the win to start their day.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 2-for-4, RBI, R
- Carly Pfitzer: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, R, SB
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 7 K, 1 ER… 0-for-1, 2 BB, R
GAME TWO: Missouri Valley 2, Midland 1
The final game of the weekend saw a defensive battle between the Vikings and Warriors as the teams were held scoreless through five complete innings.
Chloe Wasielewski was in the circle for Midland, registering seven strikeouts through the first five frames and only allowing three baserunners via walks.
In the top of the 6th, Missouri Valley was finally able to break through as they broke up the no-hitter with a single following a lead-off walk to put two on base. On the hit, the Warriors’ defense, who had seen very little action, scored on an error to go up 1-0. Wasielewski would get out of the inning with two more strikeouts and an infield pop-out.
Trailing by a run, Midland found a way to pull even in the bottom of the inning as Emily Prai led off with a single, and then Keira Painter moved her into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Roni Foote drove in Prai with a single to right, making it a 1-1 game heading into the final inning.
To start the 7th, the Vikings’ were able to finally get on top of a pitch as they led off with a solo home run. That hit, only the second of the game, would prove to be the deciding factor as the Warriors’ were held in check in the bottom half.
Statistical Standouts
- Chloe Wasielewski: 7.0 IP, 10 K, 2 H, 1 ER
- Roni Foote: 2-for-3, RBI, 3B
Midland (8-6) will return back to home for a week of prep before making another trip to Kansas next weekend. The Warriors will play four games in the McPherson Tournament beginning on March 10. Weekend opponents are slated to be Bethany (9-10) and Tabor (7-7) on Friday, and Evangel (9-4) and McPherson (5-5) on Saturday.
