Midland University Softball Splits with Northwestern
Orange City, Iowa – Midland University split with Northwestern College in GPAC action on Monday. The Warriors posted a 4-2 win in game one, but dropped game two 12-1.
"In game one we played extremely well," said Kieth Kramme, Midland University's head softball coach. "We had timely hits and played solid defense. Sammy Hislop also had a solid performance in the circle. Game two just simply got away from us."
In game one, the Warriors struck right out of the gate with a Sarah Leimser scoring Nicole Andrews in the first inning. Northwestern answered with one run in their half of the first. Matti Petersen started the fourth inning off with a homerun, followed by two more runs to make the score 4-1. A Northwestern homerun would tally the score at 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, but the Warrior defense recorded three straight outs to end the game and get the win. Sammy Hislop picked up the win for the Warriors. She pitched a complete seven innings, allowing four runs on two hits with 12 strikeouts. Liz Spooner was 2-for-2 at the plate with one run. Matti Petersen was 1-for-2 with one run and one RBI. Jennie Sayker went 2-for-4, while Alexis Spath went 1-for-2 with one run.
In game two the Red Raiders competed at a different pace as they hit six homeruns in the nightcap. The Warriors sole run came in the bottom of the fourth when Liz Spooner doubled to score Emily Kmiecik. Kayla Ritzdorf was 2-for-3 at the plate. Liz Spooner, Matti Petersen, and Rebekka Hammer each went 1-for-2, while Spooner also recorded an RBI. Leimser took the loss as she pitched two innings, giving up seven runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Sarah Greder also pitched two innings for the Warriors. She gave up five runs on six hits with one strikeout.
The Warriors move to 11-18 overall, and 5-5 in GPAC conference play, while the Red Raiders are 18-17 overall and 8-4 in GPAC play. Midland University will host Nebraska Wesleyan on Tuesday, April 16th at Christensen Fields in Fremont, Neb. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m.