No. 15 Warriors Earn Split on Final Day in Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. – No. 15-ranked Midland University wrapped up its three-day, two-stop road trip to Kansas with games against Ottawa University and Friends University on Sunday. The Warriors fell to Ottawa, 4-1, to start the final day of the Friends Invitational but rebounded with a 5-2 victory over Friends in the finale.

Game One: Ottawa 4, Midland 1

After a scoreless first inning that saw both teams go down in order, the Warriors broke onto the scoreboard in the second. Kamryn Barrientos led off with a single to left field, followed by a double to the same area by Jayci Reimers. With two runners in scoring position, Aja Henderson drew a one-out walk to load the bases. Emma Hodnet entered as a pinch hitter and delivered an RBI fielder's choice, putting Midland on top.

Ottawa responded in the fifth inning, using a pair of doubles to tie the game. A third extra-base hit drove in another run, giving the Braves a 2-1 lead with two innings to play.

The Braves added insurance runs in the seventh with a leadoff home run and an RBI groundout. In their final at-bat, the Warriors attempted a rally as Sophie De Rouin led off with a single, followed by a double from Chloe Wagner. Reese Floro drew a two-out walk to load the bases, but Ottawa escaped the threat with a groundout to end the game.

Paeton Coler took the loss despite going the distance, allowing four earned runs while striking out eight.

Statistical Standouts

• Isabelle Pagan: 2-for-3
• Kamryn Barrientos: 1-for-3, R
• Emma Hodnet: RBI
• Jayci Reimers: 2-for-4, 2B
• Chloe Wagner: 1-for-1, 2B

Game Two: Midland 5, Friends 2

Looking to split the day, the Warriors had to battle back after a tough first inning. Friends plated two runs, capitalizing on a pair of Midland errors. A hard-hit single brought in the first run, and after a fielder's choice, a second error allowed another to cross the plate.

Midland's defense settled in from there, holding Friends scoreless for the remainder of the game.

The comeback began in the fifth when De Rouin led off with a double to the gap in left-center. She stole third and scored on an RBI double from Ariyana Crafton. Floro followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and Pagan tied the game with an RBI single to left.

Henderson then lifted a sacrifice fly to put Midland ahead, and Matti Reiling added insurance with a two-run double, making it a 5-2 game.

Friends threatened in the seventh, loading the bases with two singles and a walk. With one out, the Warriors escaped unscathed as Reiling snagged a popout at shortstop, and Reimers fielded a grounder to end the game.

Campbell Petrick went the distance, striking out four while scattering seven hits with no earned runs.

Statistical Standouts

• Reese Floro: 1-for-3, R, BB
• Isabelle Pagan: 1-for-3, RBI
• Jayci Reimers: 2-for-4, SB
• Matti Reiling: 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2B
• Sophie De Rouin: 1-for-3, R, 2B, SB
• Ariyana Crafton: 2-for-2, R, RBI, BB, 2B

Up next, Midland (11-5) heads to Florida for its next set of games. The Warriors will compete in the Space Coast Games in Melbourne, beginning Sunday, March 9. They will face Aquinas and Defiance on the opening day of their spring break trip, with first pitch scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. (CT).