Courtesy of Midland Athletics
TUCSON, Ariz. – No. 19 Midland University returned to action Friday at the Tucson Invitational Games, splitting a pair of contests. The Warriors dropped a pitcher’s duel to (RV) Indiana Tech, 1-0, in eight innings before rebounding with a 19-5 run-rule victory over Viterbo, highlighted by a 12-run sixth inning.
GAME ONE: Indiana Tech 1, Midland 0 (8 innings)
It was a pitcher’s duel between Midland’s Campbell Petrick and Indiana Tech’s Savannah Bravo throughout the contest. Midland recorded hits in the first and fourth innings, while Indiana Tech managed just one hit but had three other runners reach on errors through the first seven innings.
In extra innings, Indiana Tech used a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly to score the placed runner from second base under international tiebreaker rules. The Warriors allowed two additional hits but limited the damage to one run heading into their final at-bat.
Midland was unable to advance its placed runner as Indiana Tech claimed the 1-0 victory in eight innings.
Statistical Standout
- Campbell Petrick: 8.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 K
GAME TWO: Midland 19, Viterbo 5 (6 innings)
The V-Hawks struck first with a run in each of the opening two innings. Midland broke through in the third, scoring four runs on five hits to take the lead.
Emma Hodnet ignited the two-out rally with a single and moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Isabelle Pagan followed with an RBI double to center before Alexis Shepherdlaunched a home run to put the Warriors in front. Jayci Reimers added a double and later scored on a throwing error by the Viterbo catcher as MaKenna Watkins stole second.
Midland added two runs in the fourth when Hodnet singled to right to score Grace Behrnsand Sydney Atkins, who had reached on an error and a fielder’s choice. In the fifth, Watkins led off with a triple and came home on a sacrifice fly by Maddison Zach.
Trailing 7-2, Viterbo rallied with three runs on three hits and a walk in the bottom of the fifth to pull within two.
The momentum quickly shifted back to Midland in the sixth as the Warriors erupted for 12 runs. Hodnet delivered an RBI double to start the scoring before Watkins drove in a run on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice. With one out, Zach hit a two-run double, followed by an RBI single from Atkins. After Atkins stole second, Behrns plated two more runs with a single as Midland batted around.
Hodnet added another double in her second at-bat of the inning and later scored on Shepherd’s single. Anna Tibbets contributed an RBI single after Viterbo reinserted its starting pitcher, and Zach capped the inning with another RBI double to bring home the 12th run.
Viterbo was unable to respond in its final at-bat as Midland secured the 19-5 run-rule victory in six innings.
Mackenzie Groninga started and pitched 2 2/3 innings, receiving a no-decision. Sydney Atkins earned the win in relief, throwing 2 1/3 innings with two strikeouts. Chloe Wagnerworked the final inning and recorded two strikeouts.
Statistical Standouts
- Grace Behrns: 1-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB
- Emma Hodnet: 4-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B
- Isabelle Pagan: 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB, 2B
- Alexis Shepherd: 4-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR
- Jayci Reimers: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2B
- Anna Tibbets: 1-for-1, R, 2 RBI
- MaKenna Watkins: 3-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 3B, 2 SB
- Maddison Zach: 2-for-4, R, 3 RBI, 2 2B, SF
- Sydney Atkins: 1-for-4, 2 R, RBI, SB
Midland (17-7) will wrap up play in Arizona on Saturday with games against Westcliff in the morning and Mayville State in the early afternoon. The Warriors will return home next week to open conference play on Wednesday.
