Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – No. 19 Midland University returned to action Saturday afternoon, taking on Briar Cliff University in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play. The Warriors swept the Chargers, winning both games via walk-off home runs to secure run-rule victories. Game one was capped by a MaKenna Watkins solo homer in the sixth inning for a 9-1 win, while the finale ended on a fifth-inning, three-run homer by Jaidan Wehrle.
GAME ONE: Midland 9, Briar Cliff 1 (6 innings)
The Chargers were the first to plate a run in the opener, scoring in the top of the second. Midland answered quickly as Danielle Schoby drove in a run with a single to right field in the bottom half.
In the fourth, the Warriors’ bats came alive with three runs on four hits. Isabelle Pagandoubled home the go-ahead run and later scored on a single by Emma Hodnet. Schoby added her second RBI of the game, driving in Paxton Mitties to make it 4-1 after four innings.
Alexis Shepherd doubled with one out in the fifth and scored alongside Charlee Wegner on a double by Jayci Reimers. Schoby followed with another RBI single to extend the lead.
In the sixth, Watkins stepped to the plate with two outs and clinched the run-rule victory with a deep home run to center field, capping the 9-1 win.
Campbell Petrick was solid in the circle, earning her ninth win of the season. She allowed four hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings while striking out three.
Statistical Standouts
- Alexis Shepherd: 2-for-2, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 2B
- Isabelle Pagan: 3-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B
- Jayci Reimers: 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B
- Danielle Schoby: 2-for-3, 3 RBI
GAME TWO: Midland 13, Briar Cliff 5 (5 innings)
Briar Cliff struck first in the second game with two runs in the top of the first. Midland answered with a run in the bottom half as Isabelle Pagan drove in Grace Behrns with a sacrifice fly.
Two innings later, the Warriors’ offense erupted. Pagan delivered an RBI single to right, then stole second before Jayci Reimers drove in both Pagan and MaKenna Watkins with a two-run single.
Emma Hodnet followed with an RBI single to left, scoring Paxton Mitties, who entered as a pinch runner for Pagan. Maddison Zach then homered to left-center to extend the lead to 7-2.
The Chargers added a run in the fourth, but Midland responded with two more. Sophie De Rouin, who led off the inning with a double, scored on a passed ball. Alexis Shepherd later drove in a run with a flyout to left.
After Briar Cliff scored twice in the top of the fifth, Midland answered in the bottom half. Zach drove in Reimers with a double to the gap in right-center. Moments later, Wehrle delivered a pinch-hit, three-run homer to right field, ending the game at 13-5.
Mackenzie Groninga earned the win, allowing two earned runs on six hits over 5.0 innings while striking out seven for her team-leading 11th victory.
Statistical Standouts
- Grace Behrns: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2B
- MaKenna Watkins: 2-for-2, 2 R, BB
- Isabelle Pagan: 1-for-2, R, 2 RBI, SF
- Jayci Reimers: 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI
- Emma Hodnet: 1-for-2, 2 R, RBI, BB
- Maddison Zach: 2-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR
- Jaidan Wehrle: 1-for-1, R, 3 RBI, HR
- Sophie De Rouin: 2-for-2, R, 2B
Midland (23-9, 5-1 GPAC) will look to keep its momentum going with three conference doubleheaders next week. Up first is a Wednesday afternoon trip to face Mount Marty (11-17, 2-6 GPAC). First pitch of game one is set for 3 p.m. in Yankton, South Dakota.
