Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Back on its home diamond one final time this season, top-seeded Midland University hosted third-seeded Morningside University on Saturday in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Championship Series. The Mustangs, who clinched an NAIA Opening Round berth by reaching the championship series, took the opener, 2-1. Midland, which secured its nationals berth by winning the GPAC regular-season title, responded with a 4-3 victory in game two before claiming the tournament championship with a 3-2 win in the decisive third game at Schilke Fields.
GAME ONE: Morningside 2, Midland 1
Both teams scored in the opening inning as the Mustangs turned a leadoff walk into a run with a one-out double. Midland answered in the bottom half when Isabelle Pagan singled off the glove of the shortstop, allowing Alexis Shepherd to score from third and tie the game.
Morningside regained the lead in the third inning after a leadoff triple came around to score on a wild pitch.
The Warriors were limited offensively the rest of the way, managing just three hits over the final six innings.
Mackenzie Groninga took the loss after allowing two earned runs on four hits over seven innings. She struck out eight batters.
Statistical Standouts
- Jaidan Wehrle: 1-for-4
- Alexis Shepherd: 0-for-2, R, BB, SB
- Isabelle Pagan: 2-for-3, RBI
- Sophie De Rouin: 1-for-2
GAME TWO: Midland 4, Morningside 3
Looking to clinch the tournament title, Morningside struck quickly with three runs on four hits in the top of the first inning. Midland answered with two runs in the bottom half as Isabelle Pagan lifted a sacrifice fly to score Alexis Shepherd from third. MaKenna Watkins later scored on an errant throw.
The Warriors evened the score in the third inning. Maddison Zach doubled to move Pagan to third, and Pagan later scored on another Morningside error.
Midland took the lead in the fifth inning. Jayci Reimers opened the frame after being hit by a pitch and was replaced by pinch runner Mara Vonk. Following a groundout by Emma Hodnet, Zach attempted to bunt Vonk to third but reached safely on a throwing error. The miscue allowed Vonk to race home with the eventual winning run and forced an if-necessary third game.
Campbell Petrick earned the complete-game victory in the circle. She allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out two batters.
Statistical Standouts
- Jaidan Wehrle: 3-for-4
- MaKenna Watkins: 1-for-4, R
- Alexis Shepherd: 1-for-3, R
- Isabelle Pagan: 1-for-4, R, RBI
- Maddison Zach: 1-for-2, RBI, BB
GAME THREE: Midland 3, Morningside 2
In the winner-take-all finale, Morningside grabbed an early lead with a run on two hits in the second inning. Midland answered immediately in the bottom half as Jaidan Wehrledelivered a single down the left-field line to score Jayci Reimers and Emma Hodnet and give the Warriors a 2-1 lead.
After several strong innings in the circle by both teams, the Mustangs tied the game in the sixth inning following an untimely Midland error.
The Warriors responded in the bottom of the inning. Reimers led off with a double to right-center field and was replaced on the bases by Mara Vonk. Hodnet followed with a deep fly ball to right field to move the go-ahead run to third. One batter later, Maddison Zachdoubled to nearly the same spot as Reimers, bringing home the eventual championship-winning run.
Morningside went down in order in the seventh inning with three infield popups. Isabelle Pagan secured the final out in foul territory to seal the championship.
Chloe Wagner, who entered during Thursday’s Midland Bracket finale, got the start in the decisive game. She allowed two unearned runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out one batter. Mackenzie Groninga earned the win in relief, tossing the final 1 2/3 innings without allowing a baserunner and striking out one.
Statistical Standouts
- Jaidan Wehrle: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
- Jayci Reimers: 2-for-2, R, 2B
- Emma Hodnet: 1-for-2, R
- Maddison Zach: 1-for-3, RBI, 2B
Midland (42-14) will now await the NAIA Selection Show on Wednesday to learn its destination for the NAIA Opening Round, scheduled for May 11-14. The national office announced the 10 host sites on Friday, with brackets, seeds, and game times set to be revealed at 5 p.m. on May 6. The appearance marks the Warriors’ eighth consecutive trip to the NAIA postseason.
