Courtesy of Midland Athletics
ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Midland University traveled to Orange City, Iowa, on Friday for a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader against Northwestern College. The Warriors edged the Red Raiders in a tightly contested opener, 2-1, but an early grand slam in game two proved too much to overcome as Midland fell, 5-1.
GAME ONE: Midland 2, Northwestern 1
After four scoreless innings, Northwestern struck first in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases and scoring on a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead.
Midland answered in the top of the sixth as Joshua Hardamon drew a walk, setting up Hadyn Crawford, who launched a two-run homer to put the Warriors in front, 2-1.
Owen Kelley closed out the game in the seventh, retiring the Red Raiders to secure the win. Kelley threw a complete game, allowing four hits, one run, and two walks while striking out one on 74 pitches.
Statistical Standouts
- Hadyn Crawford: 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI
- Owen Kelley: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K
GAME TWO: Northwestern 5, Midland 1
The Red Raiders got off to a fast start, stringing together three consecutive singles to plate a run and take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Northwestern stayed hot in the second, again opening with three straight singles. After a fielder’s choice loaded the bases, the Red Raiders delivered a two-out grand slam to extend their lead to 5-0.
Midland responded in the top of the third when Kobe Sandstrom drew a walk. Ben Kirklandentered as a courtesy runner, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error, and scored on a groundout to make it 5-1.
The Warriors were held scoreless the rest of the way, falling in game two to split the evening.
Statistical Standout
- Ben Kirkland: 1 SB, 1 R
Midland (18-26, 14-12 GPAC) returns home to host Northwestern (25-19, 14-12 GPAC) on Saturday, April 26, in another conference doubleheader, wrapping up both the four-game series and the regular season. The event will also celebrate Senior Day and Alumni Day. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Moller Field in Fremont, Nebraska.
