No. 10 Warriors Split Pair of Games in Texas Before the Rain

MESQUITE, Texas – No. 10-ranked Midland University traveled south in hopes of good weather this weekend to compete in the SCS NAIA Invitational in Mesquite, Texas. The opening day of the showcase pitted the Warriors against Oklahoma Panhandle State University and No. 6 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Against the OPSU Aggies, Midland won 13-3 in five innings. In the highly-anticipated rematch from last year's NAIA World Series, extra innings were needed. The USAO Drovers came through with the 2-1 win in a true pitchers' duel and defensive battle.

GAME ONE: Midland 13, Panhandle State 3 (5 innings)

In the Warriors' opening game of the showcase, they were held in check during the 1st inning but busted the game wide open in the 2nd. Amanda Schmaderer, Matti Reiling, and Halle Meyer all reached on singles to start the top of the innings. Mia Orduna drove in a pair with a double to score the first two runs and then Ariyana Crafton drove in the third.

With two outs down, OPSU went to its bullpen as the top of the order came back around. Emily Prai jumpstarted the two-out rally just ahead of Jayci Reimers' double. With runners on the corners, Reese Floro delivered a single that scored both of the speedy Warriors. As the 2nd inning continued, Schmaderer came up for the second time in the inning and delivered her second hit. A single up the middle scored Floro and Roni Foote, who earned a free pass one spot earlier. Midland scored seven runs on eight hits in the inning.

In the 3rd, Meyer led off the inning with a solo home run. After a single and groundout, the lineup was set to reset to the top. That prompted another call to the bullpen for the Aggies.

Facing the new pitcher, Prai worked a walk and then Reimers reached on a fielder's choice. Her at-bat recorded an RBI as Mia Orduna, who singled after the homer, came in to score.

After holding Midland off the scoreboard in the top of the 4th, OPSU manufactured some runs in the bottom half. A walk, followed by a wild pitch, put the leadoff hit in scoring position. The Aggies' first run came in with a one-out single and then later, they scored on a bases-loaded single and then a sacrifice fly. Panhandle State scored three runs on four hits to make it a 9-3 ballgame.

Needing at least two runs to put the game on notice for an early finish, Midland did just that in the top of the 5th. Facing the fourth pitcher to take the circle, they worked through an early double play to plate four runs. Camile Vestal doubled home Prai and Crafton who started the rally. Floro singled home Prai and then scored on a super wild pitch that netted the final two runs of the game for the 13-3 win.

In the circle, Paeton Coler when 4.0 innings with 7 strikeouts. She allowed three earned runs on six hits to the 20 batters she faced. In one inning of relief, Alexis Page allowed one walk through four batters faced.

Statistical Standouts

• Emily Prai: 2-3, 2 R, BB
• Reese Floro: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI
• Amanda Schmaderer: 2-3, R, 2 RBI
• Halle Meyer: 2-2, 2 R, RBI
• Mia Orduna: 2-3, R, 2 RBI
• Paeton Coler: 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 K

GAME TWO: Science & Arts 2, Midland 1 (8 innings)

It was a true pitchers' duel in the Warriors' second game of the day as they went up against the No. 6-ranked Drovers. With Aliyah Rincon in the circle for Midland and USAO trotting out Sophie Williams, hits and runs were hard to come by.

In the 4th inning, the Drovers saw their leadoff hitter reach with a bunt single and then steal second base to get into scoring position. After groundout moved her to third, a sacrifice fly to center field scored the game's first run.

Midland answered back in its next at bat. Roni Foote earned a walk and then moved up a base after a wild pitch. Foote moved up one more spot via a groundout and then was brought in to tie the game with a sacrifice fly by Matti Reiling.

Through five innings, each team had scored once with only one hit allowed by the All-American pitchers.

After each side was set down in the 6th and the 7th, the game went to extra innings. As the visiting team on the scoreboard, the Warriors were given the first chance to break the tie. A one-out single by Ariyana Crafton was all they could get, setting the stage for USAO.

The Drovers got a single to start their half and then got her to second via a fielder's choice that failed to register the second out. Two batters later, USAO was down to its final out. A single looked to load the bases but an error in the outfield allowed the winning run to come across.

Statistical Standouts

• Roni Foote: 0-2, R, BB
• Matti Reiling: 1-2, RBI, SAC
• Ariyana Crafton: 2-3
• Aliyah Rincon: 7.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 8 K

Midland (5-1) was getting to set to play four additional games at the SCS NAIA Invite but rain swept through the area forcing a delay. As the weather lingered, the Warriors were forced to load up and cancel the weekend's final games. Next up for MU will be the Avila Tournament in Kansas City, Kansas next weekend. The Warriors will play a pair of games on Friday and another set on Sunday.