Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University hosted Briar Cliff University on Sunday afternoon for a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader, wrapping up their four-game weekend series. The Warriors split the twin bill with the Chargers, falling 10-5 in game one before rallying for a thrilling 8-7 walk-off victory in 11 innings in game two.
GAME ONE: Briar Cliff 10, Midland 5
Joshua Hardamon got the Warriors going in the first inning with a one-out double. Chris Ortega followed with a single down the left-field line to bring Hardamon home, giving Midland an early 1-0 lead.
After two scoreless frames from both teams, the Chargers found momentum in the top of the fourth. A walk and a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners. A single brought in the tying run, and an error allowed another to score, putting Briar Cliff ahead, 2-1.
The Chargers broke the game open in the fifth, stringing together seven hits—including a three-run homer—to extend their lead to 8-1.
In the bottom half of the inning, Dax Wandler reached on a Briar Cliff error as a pinch hitter. Adam Muniz Jr. followed with a single to move Wandler to second, and Ben Kirklandentered as a courtesy runner. Brody Boyle then singled to left field to drive in Wandler, and Hardamon launched a three-run homer to right-center, cutting the deficit to 8-5.
Briar Cliff added a run in the sixth on a hit-by-pitch and a double, then capped the scoring with a solo home run in the seventh to secure a 10-5 win.
Statistical Standouts
- Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, HR, 2B
- Adam Muniz Jr.: 1-for-1
GAME TWO: Midland 8, Briar Cliff 7 (11 innings)
After a quiet first inning, Dax Wandler sparked Midland in the second with a one-out double to right-center. Kobe Sandstrom reached on an error, and Wandler scored on the play to make it 1-0. Ben Kirkland came in to run, and Jacob Liquori followed with a triple to right-center to bring him home. A single by Boyle plated Liquori, giving Midland a 3-0 lead.
The Chargers answered in the third with back-to-back doubles and a single to get on the board.
In the fourth, Briar Cliff surged ahead with back-to-back singles followed by a three-run homer to take a 5-3 lead.
Garrett Freeman opened the bottom of the fourth with a double, and Wandler was hit by a pitch. Eimir Perez singled to load the bases. Boyle then doubled to left-center, bringing in two runs and putting Midland back in front, 6-5.
Briar Cliff responded again in the sixth, scoring twice off a double and a single to retake the lead, 7-6.
In the eighth, Perez led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Jack Liquori was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. A sacrifice fly tied the game at 7-7.
After a scoreless ninth and tenth, the Warriors walked it off in the 11th. Boyle led off with a single, and Hardamon followed with a single to the left side, moving Boyle to third. A throwing error by the Chargers allowed Boyle to score the winning run.
Cooper Culhane earned the win in relief, tossing six scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out three.
Statistical Standouts
- Brody Boyle: 3-for-5, 5 RBI, R, 2B
- Joshua Hardamon: 3-for-6
- Garrett Freeman: 1-for-5, 2B
- Dax Wandler: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2B
- Eimir Perez: 2-for-5, 2 R
- Jacob Liquori: 2-for-4, RBI, R, 3B
“Cooper Culhane was absolutely huge for us. Came in, stopped the bleeding, and kept Briar Cliff down and allowed our guys to slowly come back. Great team performance by everyone,” commented head coach Shea Bennett.
Midland (12-21) will take a short trip to Omaha, Nebraska for a mid-week non-conference game against (RV) Bellevue (21-11). First Pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Brown Park.
