Courtesy of Midland Athletics
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – It was Championship Saturday in Sioux Center as (RV) Midland University took on No. 12 Northwestern College inside the American State Bank Sports Complex. The best-of-three series was moved inside the dome with the threat of inclement weather forecasted throughout the day. The Warriors, who swept their way through their pod, completed the postseason sweep, defeating the Red Raiders 6-1 and 5-4.
GAME ONE: Midland 6, Northwestern 1
A four-run 4th inning sparked the Warriors to the game-one win. Emily Prai led off the inning with a triple and then Roni Foote worked a walk from the Raiders’ starter. Carly Pfitzer drove in Prai as she reached on a fielder’s choice. A single by Aliyah Rincon led to a play at the plate. Schmaderer worked her way around the tag from the Northwestern catcher, putting Midland up 2-0.
A wild pitch led to a third run as Keira Painter raced home and Rincon moved over to third. The fourth run came in as Alexis Page, who earned a two-out walk, stole second while Rincon scored on the throw down.
The Raiders worked a run across in the bottom of the inning, taking advantage of a single, an error, a walk, and then a sacrifice fly.
In the 7th, Midland tacked on two more insurance runs. Prai reached on a one-out single, then came around to score as Pfitzer doubled to the gap. Schmaderer singled in the next at-bat, driving in Pfitzer to make it 6-1.
Rincon went the distance in the circle, going 7.0 innings with one run allowed on five hits with six strikeouts. Northwestern used four different pitchers in the game one loss.
Statistical Standouts
- Emily Prai: 2-for-4, 2 R, 3B
- Carly Pfitzer: 1-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB
- Amanda Schmaderer: 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB
- Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 6 K… 2-for-4, R
GAME TWO: Midland 5, Northwestern 4
Midland jumped out in front early with a pair of runs in the 1st. Roni Foote reached with a one-out single and then moved up to second with a sacrifice bunt by Carly Pfitzer. Amanda Schmaderer drove her in with an RBI double and then scored as Keira Painter followed with an RBI single.
Northwestern battled back, garnering a run in the bottom of the 2nd. In the next half inning, the Warriors added a run as they worked the bases loaded via an error, single, and a hit-by-pitch. Schmaderer hit an RBI single, scoring Prai who led off the inning.
The Raiders rallied back once more, this time tying the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd. With three innings complete, the score was knotted at 3-3.
Midland was quick to break the tie as Alexis Page hit a solo home run to lead off the 4th. Once again, they loaded up the bases in front of Schmaderer who delivered her fourth RBI of the series.
Things tightened in the final inning as Northwestern reached on an error and then scored on a two-out single to keep their title hopes alive. The championship banner was sealed though as Page induced a flyball to right field where Keira Painter squeezed the final out.
Page went the complete 7.0 innings in the circle. She allowed three earned runs while scattering seven hits and striking out two batters.
Statistical Standouts
- Roni Foote: 2-for-4, R
- Amanda Schmaderer: 2-for-3, R, 3 RBI, 2B, BB
- Alexis Page: 2-for-4, R, RBI, HR, 2B… 7.0 IP, 2 K
Midland (36-12) will continue its season in a little over a week in the NAIA Opening Round. They’ll learn their location and opponents next Tuesday when the NAIA releases the 2023 National Championship Field.
