No. 12 Warriors Shutout York Twice in Home Opener

FREMONT, Neb. – After the first chance to open up at home was delayed due to weather, No. 12 Midland University held its first games at the Schilke Fields Complex on Saturday against York University. The Warriors swept the nonconference doubleheader of the overmatch Panthers, winning 6-0 and 8-0.

GAME ONE: Midland 6, York 0

Things started quickly for the Warriors at their new home with a pair of runs in the 1st inning and then three in the 2nd. Roni Foote drove in the first run with a single through the left side and then Amanda Schmaderer singled home the second run with a ground ball through the middle.

Halle Meyer laid down a solid bunt to score the first run of the 2nd innings She would later come around to score off a single from Foote. In between the two scoring plays, Meyer stole second and then Reese Floro drove in Emily Prai with a deep flyout.

Following a few scoreless innings where the Panthers settled in defensively, the Warriors looked to end the game via the run-rule in the 6th. After the first two batters reached base, Floro joined them as she was hit by a pitch with one out. York threw out the runner at home as Foote hit into a fielder's choice. Schmaderer then hit a single to left that was only deep enough to score Prai from third. A pop fly into the gusting wind from right field led to the third out, giving York three outs to stage a comeback.

Aliyah Rincon, who had a solid outing in her home debut, and the Midland defense worked around a two-out double in the 7th to secure the shutout victory. For the game, Rincon had seven strikeouts while scattering five hits and allowing one walk.

Statistical Standouts

• Emily Prai: 1-for-3, 3 R, BB
• Halle Meyer: 1-for-3, 2 R, RBI
• Roni Foote: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
• Amanda Schmaderer: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
• Aliyah Rincon: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 7 K

GAME TWO: Midland 8, York 0

The Warriors' offense looked to have a tough time getting going in the second game as they were set down in order in the opening frame. After a pair of walks and two outs in the 2nd, the pieces were in place for a big inning.

Ariyana Crafton worked a bases-loaded walk ahead of a two-RBI single to left by Emily Prai as the lineup turned over. Jayci Reimers delivered two more runs with a single up the middle. After Reese Floro reached via an error, she promptly stole second and after a misthrow by the catcher, Reimers was able to sprint home to cap off a six-run rally.

Reimers patience at the plate was rewarded an inning later as she was walked with the bases loaded, putting the game on the verge of being called via the mercy rule once more. York would get the final out of the 3rd and then prolonged it an inning later as it worked around a lead-off double by Roni Foote and a walk of Matti Reiling.

After setting down York in order in the top of the 5th, Midland closed out the game in the bottom half. Prai reached on an error with one out and then after being pushed to third with a ground ball for the second out, Bella Pinotti drove her in with a fielder's choice to end the game, 8-0.

Paeton Coler pitched the complete game shutout, striking out three batters and giving up three hits and two walks.

Statistical Standouts

• Emily Prai: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB
• Jayci Reimers: 1-for-3, R, 3 RBI, BB
• Roni Foote: 1-for-1, R, 2B, 2 BB
• Halley Meyer: 1-for-1, 2 R, BB

Midland (15-2) will be on the road all of next week as it travels to Arizona for the Tucson Invitational. The Warriors will play eight games in four days beginning on Tuesday. A complete schedule of games, which will be played at Lincoln Park, is listed below.

Tue, March 12

• Simpson (Calif.) – 5:30 p.m. CT
• Park-Gilbert (Ariz.) – 8:00 p.m. CT

Wed, March 13

• Simpson (Calif.) – 1:00 p.m. CT
• Ottawa Arizona – 5:30 p.m. CT

Thu, March 14

• William Penn (Iowa) – 1:00 p.m. CT
• Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) – 3:30 p.m. CT

Fri, March 15

• William Penn (Iowa) – 11:00 a.m. CT
• Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) – 3:30 p.m. CT