(RV) Warriors Sweep Mount Marty; Win Game Two with Walk Off

FREMONT, Neb. – It was a blustery day out at Christensen Field on Friday as (RV) Midland University hosted Mount Marty University in a conference doubleheader. The Warriors and Lancers battled on the dirt, playing through a strong northwest wind and the occasional light snow flurry. Midland took the first game behind a pair of big innings, 10-3, and then won on a walk-off hit in the 7th in game two, 3-2. The wins move them to 27-8 on the year and 14-2 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Mount Marty falls to 15-16 and 8-8 in the GPAC.

GAME ONE: Midland 10, Mount Marty 3

In the first game of the rematch of last year's GPAC Championship Series, Midland jumped out with three runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. They did so as Roni Foote started the two-out rally with a single, and then got into scoring position with a steal of second base.

After Carly Pfitzer earned a walk, Aliyah Rincon drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single to right field. Amanda Schmaderer followed up with a double to the same part of the field, scoring two more runs.

In the 3rd, Foote led off with a single to the gap in left-center and then Pfitzer turned on a ball that cleared the fence by a mile in left field. Rincon took notes from the on-deck circle and then collected her fourth home run of the year, hitting a solo shot over the left-field fence as well.

Mount Marty's players were studying the jet stream as well. During their next at-bat, two Lancers launched solo homers to left-center, making it a 6-2 game.

Following a quiet turn at the plate for both teams, Midland increased its lead by a pair of runs in the 5th. They did so as Mia Orduna hit an RBI single through the left side, bringing in Schmaderer. Emily Prai earned the second RBI, driving in Alexis Page with a single to left center.

Mount Marty responded with a run in the top of the 6th and would get one across in the 7th.

In between the Lancer runs the Warriors struck for two more in the home half of the 6th. Rincon drove in Pfitzer with an RBI single and then Schmaderer drove in Kelly Kight, who courtesy-ran for Rincon, as she reached on an infield error.

Rincon went the complete game, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing two earned runs. She struck out 12 batters and allowed just seven baserunners (six hits and one walk).

Statistical Standouts

• Emily Prai: 3-for-4, RBI
• Roni Foote: 2-for-4, 2 R, SB
• Carly Pfitzer: 2-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR, 2 SB
• Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 12 K… 3-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR
• Amanda Schmaderer: 3-for-4, R, 3 RBI, 2B

GAME TWO:

The second game of the series was more of a pitcher's duel with Alexis Page going against McKenzie Gray. Both starters went the distance with Page striking out two Lancers and allowing two earned runs while Gray went six-plus innings with two strikeouts and two earned runs.

Following three and a half innings where only one hit was collected, the Warriors struck for the first run of the game in the bottom of the 4th. Amanda Schmaderer worked a two-out walk and then took advantage of an errant throw back to the circle following a walk of Alexis Page. On the play, Schmaderer darted to third and then sprinted home as the ball was bobbled around the infield. After the dust settled, Page found herself on third base following the free pass.

In the 5th, Mount Marty went on a two-out rally of its own as they single home the lead-off hitter who reached on a double, tying the game at 1-1. An inning later, they took the lead with an RBI groundout with runners at second and third.

Trialing by a run, Midland worked its way back even in the bottom of the 6th. Behind the first two batters getting out via a pop-up and line out, Schmaderer worked yet another walk. Page singled down the line in right and the runners were at the corners after a bobble by the fielder. Mia Orduna came through with the clutch RBI, doubling down the left field line to tie the game a two.

Aliyah Rincon moved into pitch in the 7th and got through the inning with a groundout followed by two strikeouts.

With the Lancers' starter still in the circle and hovering near 100 pitches, the Keira Painter hit a leadoff double to tilt the game toward the Warriors. Roni Foote came through with the game-winning hit, driving the ball to center field and scoring Painter easily.

Statistical Standouts

• Keira Painter: 2-for-4, R, 2B
• Roni Foote: 1-for-4, RBI
• Amanda Schmaderer: 0-for-0, 2 R, 3 BB
• Mia Orduna: 1-for-3, RBI
• Alexis Page: 6.0 IP, 2 R, 2 K… 1-for-1, 2 BB
• Aliyah Rincon: 1.0 IP, 2 K

Midland (27-8, 12-2 GPAC) will be back in action on Sunday afternoon as they host Briar Cliff (28-10, 10-4 GPAC). The conference doubleheader is set for a 1:00 p.m. start at Christensen Field in Fremont. The Warriors' 2023 Seniors will be honored in between games.