Courtesy of Midland Athletics
YANKTON, S.D. — Midland University traveled to Yankton, South Dakota, a neutral site due to winter weather and field conditions in Forest City, Iowa, where the games were originally scheduled against Waldorf University. The Warriors battled to a 3-2 extra-innings win in Game 1 before exploding for a 25-7 victory in seven innings in Game 2 to complete the Great Plains Athletic Conference sweep Saturday afternoon.
GAME ONE: Midland 3, Waldorf 2 (9 innings)
Waldorf struck first in the bottom of the first inning after drawing back-to-back walks followed by a single to score two runs and take an early 2-0 lead.
A leadoff double by Owen Glover in the top of the second got the Warriors started. Eimir Perez Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second before a single by Anthony Martinez brought home Perez Jr. to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Chase Bouges led off the third inning with a double. Dax Wandler followed with a walk and later stole second, while Bouges stole home to tie the game at 2-2.
After four scoreless innings from both teams, the game moved into extra innings. Midland broke through in the top of the ninth when Hunter Spencer delivered a one-out single and stole second to move into scoring position. Anthony Martinez drew a walk, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Adam Muniz Jr. then drew a walk to load the bases before a sacrifice fly by Bouges scored Spencer to give Midland a 3-2 lead.
Breken Mason shut down Waldorf in the bottom of the ninth to secure the extra-innings win. Mason earned the victory with two innings pitched, allowing one hit with no runs or walks while striking out three.
Statistical Standouts
Hunter Spencer: 1-for-4, R
Anthony Martinez: 2-for-3, RBI, BB
Chase Bouges: 1-for-3, RBI, R, 2B
Ben Brantley: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Breken Mason: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
GAME TWO: Midland 25, Waldorf 7 (7 innings)
Brody Boyle drew a walk and stole second before Dax Wandler singled to move him to third. Jimmy Martinez doubled to score Boyle, and Cooper Benecke followed with an RBI single to bring home Wandler and make it 2-0. Eimir Perez Jr. drew a walk before a sacrifice fly by Hunter Spencer scored J. Martinez. A double by Anthony Martinez scored Benecke to give Midland a 4-0 lead in the first inning.
Waldorf responded with three runs in the bottom of the first to cut the lead to 4-3.
Bouges, Boyle and Wandler opened the second inning with three consecutive singles to load the bases. Bouges scored on a passed ball before Glover singled to score Boyle. Perez Jr. reached on a fielder’s choice, and Spencer drew a walk to reload the bases. Anthony Martinez delivered a two-run single to score Glover and Perez Jr. before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Muniz Jr. followed with a walk.
Bouges added another RBI single to score Martinez and Spencer, then stole second while Muniz Jr. stole home. After Boyle was hit by a pitch later in the inning, Wandler capped the frame with a three-run home run. Midland scored 10 runs on eight hits in the inning to extend the lead to 14-3.
Midland’s momentum continued in the third inning as Anthony Martinez drew a walk and Muniz Jr. singled to advance him to second. Boyle followed with an RBI single before Wandler doubled to score Boyle and Muniz Jr., extending the lead to 17-3.
Glover drew a walk to start the fourth inning before Ky Lewis hit a two-run home run to make it 19-3. With two outs, Aidan Smith singled and Bouges followed with another single. Jax Sorensen reached on an error to load the bases before Wandler launched a grand slam to push the lead to 23-3.
Waldorf added three runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it 23-6.
In the fifth inning, Lewis singled with one out before Sotero Ureno reached on an error to put runners on the corners. Jesse Chimenti doubled to score Lewis, and a sacrifice fly by Smith brought home Ureno to extend the lead to 25-6.
Waldorf added one final run in the seventh inning, but Midland held on for the 25-7 run-rule victory.
Statistical Standouts
Dax Wandler: 6-for-9, 3 R, 2 HR, 2B
Cooper Benecke: 2-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB
Ky Lewis: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 R
Anthony Martinez: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB, 2B
Jesse Chimenti: 2-for-2, RBI, BB, 2B
“Always good to get a series win during conference play. The boys battled really well in the first game and the relievers did a really good job to help us get the win. Game two was obviously a whole lot of fun for everyone as the bats seemed to really come to life, which was great to see. Good to have a little momentum going into a tough midweek game against Bellevue.”
Midland (11-15) will have a quick turnaround as it travels to Bellevue, Nebraska, for a nonconference matchup against No. 4 Bellevue University (20-3) on Tuesday, March 24. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
