No. 15 Warriors Power Past Panhandle State

GOODWELL, Okla. – After their weekend games in the Kansas City metro were canceled, No. 15-ranked Midland University picked up a pair of replacement contests at Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Monday. Despite breezy and overcast conditions, the Warriors' offense heated up, securing a pair of run-rule victories over the Aggies, 12-4 in six innings and 8-0 in five innings.

GAME ONE: Midland 12, Panhandle State 4

After being held in check early and allowing two runs in the first inning, the Warriors settled into their first outdoor game of the season. In the second, Jayci Reimers hit a two-out triple to score Isabelle Pagan. Jenna Lemley followed with a single, and Ariyana Crafton added a two-run triple. Reese Floro then reached on an error, bringing home another run to cap off a four-run inning.

In the third, Aja Henderson launched her second home run of the season, a two-run shot over the center-field fence. Panhandle State answered with a run in the bottom half, but Midland's offense continued its surge.

Alexis Shepherd drove in Floro with an RBI single in the fourth, setting up another four-run inning. Matti Reiling singled, and Reimers walked before Chloe Wagner hit an RBI single. Floro added another RBI hit, scoring Emma Hodnet, who had entered as a pinch runner. With the bases loaded, Shepherd drew a walk to push across another run, and Kamryn Barrientos capped the rally with a sacrifice fly.

After the Aggies plated a run in the fifth, Midland extended its lead to eight runs in the sixth. Crafton beat out an infield bobble to bring in Hodnet, sealing the run-rule win.

In the circle, Coler pitched a complete game, scattering six hits while allowing four earned runs and striking out four.

Statistical Standouts

• Reese Floro: 2-for-5, R, RBI, 3B
• Aja Henderson: 1-for-2, R, 2 RBI, HR
• Jayci Reimers: 1-for-2, R, RBI, BB
• Ariyana Crafton: 1-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 3B, BB
• Emma Hodnet: 2 R, 2 SB

GAME TWO: Midland 8, Panhandle State 0

The second game of the doubleheader started as a pitcher's duel. Midland scratched across a first-inning run when Barrientos doubled to score Reimers, who had reached on a two-out single. From there, both teams were held in check, managing just three combined hits over the next two innings.

Midland's bats broke through in the fourth with a six-run outburst, capitalizing on five hits and three Panhandle State errors. After a Barrientos double and a Pagan single, Reiling doubled to center to plate the lead runner. Later in the inning, Lemley reached on an infield error, allowing pinch runner Sophia De Rouin to score.

Floro followed with an RBI single, scoring Brie Lively, who entered as a courtesy runner. Crafton then stole third, forcing a misthrow that brought her home. Floro crossed the plate moments later on a Reimers RBI single, capping the explosive inning.

In the fifth, Crafton lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in Henderson, pushing the lead to 8-0. The Aggies were retired in order in the bottom half, securing another run-rule victory for the Warriors.

Statistical Standouts

• Reese Floro: 2-for-3, R, RBI, BB
• Jayci Reimers: 2-for-3, R, RBI
• Kamryn Barrientos: 2-for-3, R, RBI
• Matti Reiling: 2-for-3, R, RBI
• Campbell Petrick: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R

Midland (6-0) will look for favorable weather this weekend as they head back to Oklahoma. The Warriors are set to compete in the NAIA SB Invitational in Shawnee on Saturday, Feb. 22, and Sunday, Feb. 23, facing No. 5 Oregon Tech, (RV) Missouri Baptist, (RV) Grand View, and No. 18 Benedictine.