Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University hosted Morningside University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader on Thursday evening. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the games were moved up due to forecasted rain. The Warriors fell 4-0 in the opener but staged a dramatic comeback in the nightcap, walking it off for a 3-2 victory.
GAME ONE: Morningside 4, Midland 0
After two scoreless innings, Morningside struck first in the third, using a single and a double to bring in a run for an early 1-0 lead.
Following a quiet fourth, the Mustangs extended their advantage in the fifth. Back-to-back singles and a double steal put runners in scoring position before a sacrifice fly made it 2-0.
Morningside added to its lead in the sixth, loading the bases with a walk and two singles. Another walk and a hit-by-pitch brought in two more runs, pushing the lead to 4-0.
The Mustangs’ pitching staff held Midland scoreless, securing a 4-0 shutout in game one. Zachary Vincent was dealt the loss for the Warriors. He went 5.1 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits with one strikeout.
Statistical Standout
- Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-3
GAME TWO: Midland 3, Morningside 2
Morningside once again took an early lead in the third, stringing together two singles before a sacrifice fly made it 1-0.
After a scoreless fourth, the Mustangs added another run in the fifth. A hit-by-pitch, a single, and a stolen base put runners in scoring position before another sacrifice fly extended the lead to 2-0.
Midland, held hitless and without a baserunner through six innings, mounted a dramatic comeback in the final frame.
Brody Boyle ignited the rally with a leadoff double. Joshua Hardamon drew a walk, with Ben Kirkland entering as a pinch runner. Kobe Sandstrom pinch-hit and reached on a throwing error by the pitcher. On the same error, Boyle came home to put Midland on the board.
Chris Ortega followed with a sacrifice fly, bringing home Kirkland to tie the game at 2-2. Nate Reyes then singled to right field, putting runners on the corners before stealing second to put two in scoring position.
With the game on the line, Alec Villanueva delivered, ripping a single down the right-field line to bring home Chase Bouges for the 3-2 walk-off win—his third walk-off hit of the season.
Statistical Standouts
- Brody Boyle: 1-for-3, R, 2B
- Alec Villanueva: 1-for-3, RBI
- Owen Kelley: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 K
- Xavior Salazar: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K
“Pitching and defense were the name of the game today on both sides,” said head coach Shea Bennett. “Zach and Owen did a tremendous job in their outings, putting us in a position to win. I’m very proud of the fight and resilience the boys showed. They never gave up, and each guy competed hard in that final inning, giving us the chance for Alec to walk it off again.”
Midland (8-19, 4-6 GPAC) will travel to Orange City, Iowa to take on Morningside (21-4-1, 8-2 GPAC) once more. The neutral site doubleheader is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. first pitch.
