Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – No. 19 Midland University debuted the newly installed turf at Schilke Fields on Friday with a ranked matchup against No. 23 Northwestern College. The meeting between the top two teams from each of the past two Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) seasons resulted in a split. The Warriors took game one, 4-1, while the Red Raiders claimed the nightcap, 4-2, in nine innings.
GAME ONE: Midland 4, Northwestern 1
Following a scoreless first inning, Northwestern struck first, pushing a one-out walk across the plate via a fielder’s choice and an error. The Red Raiders, who made several changes in the circle, kept the Warriors scoreless through four innings while holding a one-run lead.
In the fifth, Emma Hodnet led off with a single. A walk and a fielding error loaded the bases for Grace Behrns with one out. She delivered with an RBI single to right-center, tying the game. MaKenna Watkins then broke the tie in the next at-bat, reaching on an infield error.
An inning later, the Warriors added to their lead. Maddison Zach hit an RBI single up the middle to score Charlee Wegner, who entered as a pinch runner for Hodnet. Danielle Schoby followed with an RBI single to right, giving Midland a 4-1 advantage heading into the final frame.
Northwestern put two runners on base in the seventh but could not capitalize as Campbell Petrick secured the complete-game victory. Petrick allowed just one hit and three walks while striking out one.
Statistical Standouts
- Grace Behrns: 1-for-4, RBI
- Emma Hodnet: 1-for-3, R
- Maddison Zach: 2-for-3, R, RBI
- Danielle Schoby: 1-for-2, RBI
- Campbell Petrick: 7.0 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 K
GAME TWO: Northwestern 4, Midland 2 (9 innings)
In the second game of the doubleheader, Midland jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first inning. Alexis Shepherd drove in Grace Behrns with a single, then later stole home as part of a double-steal sequence before the inning ended.
Northwestern cut the deficit in half in the second, scoring on one hit with the help of a walk and a sacrifice bunt.
As the game progressed, the Red Raiders limited Midland’s opportunities, though they also struggled to capitalize. Northwestern loaded the bases in the fourth with three walks, but Midland escaped the jam.
In the seventh, Northwestern was down to its final out before extending the game with a bunt single. A double down the line in the next at-bat allowed the tying run to score, sending the contest into extra innings.
The Red Raiders again loaded the bases in the eighth, but Midland worked out of trouble to keep the score tied. After a scoreless bottom half, the game moved to the ninth, the final inning before the international tie-breaker rule would take effect.
In the ninth, Northwestern put a runner on with one out and advanced her with a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, back-to-back errors by the Warriors allowed two runs to score, giving the Red Raiders the lead. Northwestern retired Midland in order to secure the split in the bottom half.
Mackenzie Groninga took the loss despite a strong outing, recording 12 strikeouts over 9.0 innings. She allowed two earned runs on seven hits.
Statistical Standouts
- Grace Behrns: 1-for-4, R
- Alexis Shepherd: 1-for-4, R, RBI, SB
- Mackenzie Groninga: 9.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 12 K
Midland (21-9, 3-1 GPAC) returns to action Saturday with a doubleheader against Briar Cliff (12-18, 2-4 GPAC). First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Schilke Fields in Fremont.
