Senior Day Sweep; No. 22 Warriors Take Two From (RV) Dordt

FREMONT, Neb. – After another weather delay, No. 22 Midland University returned to action Monday afternoon against (RV) Dordt University. The two teams, vying for position atop the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) standings, met at Schilke Fields for a doubleheader. The Warriors rallied for three runs in the final inning to win game one, 6-5, before completing the sweep with a 6-4 victory in game two after honoring their seniors and families between games.

GAME ONE: Midland 6, Dordt 5

Isabelle Pagan, one of six seniors honored on the day, jump-started Midland in the bottom of the first with a line-drive, three-run home run to center field.

Dordt answered with a run in its next at-bat and took the lead an inning later in the third. An RBI single to right cut the deficit to one, followed by a two-RBI single through the right side to put the Defenders in front. Dordt added another run in the sixth to take control.

Down to its final three outs, Midland got a leadoff walk from pinch hitter Jaidan Wehrle. Sophie De Rouin moved the runner into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, flipping the lineup back to the top.

Grace Behrns delivered an RBI single through the right side to cut the deficit to one. After a foul out for the second out, Alexis Shepherd lined an RBI double into the right-center gap to tie the game. Following an intentional walk to Pagan, Jayci Reimers delivered a walk-off single to right, scoring Shepherd for the 6-5 victory.

Campbell Petrick went the distance in the circle, allowing 10 hits and three walks over seven innings. She struck out one and earned her 11th win of the season.

Statistical Standouts

• Grace Behrns: 1-for-4, RBI
• Alexis Shepherd: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B
• Isabelle Pagan: 1-for-3, R, 3 RBI, HR
• Jayci Reimers: 1-for-4, RBI
• Emma Hodnet: 2-for-3

GAME TWO: Midland 6, Dordt 4

Dordt struck first in game two, turning a leadoff walk into a run with a single to the left-center gap. After being held scoreless in the first, Midland broke through with a big second inning.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Sophie De Rouin drew a walk to tie the game. Grace Behrns followed with a deep fly ball that went through the right fielder's glove, clearing the bases as she hustled to third. After a single by Alexis Shepherd, Dordt went to the bullpen, but Isabelle Pagan added to the rally with an RBI single to left-center. Dordt escaped the inning after allowing six runs on four hits and one error.

Mackenzie Groninga settled in from there, keeping the Defenders off the board until the final inning.

In the seventh, Dordt opened with a pinch-hit double and a walk. Both runners scored on a single and a sacrifice fly. After loading the bases, a second sacrifice fly brought Dordt within two with two outs.

With the go-ahead run at the plate, Groninga recorded a strikeout to end the threat and secure the 6-4 win.

Groninga allowed four earned runs on six hits over seven innings. She struck out nine and picked up her 14th win.

Statistical Standouts

• MaKenna Watkins: 1-for-4, R, RBI
• Isabelle Pagan: 3-for-4, R, RBI
• Jayci Reimers: 1-for-1, R, 2 BB
• Sophie De Rouin: 2-for-2, R, RBI, BB, 2B, 2 SB

Midland (28-10, 10-2 GPAC) moves into second place with the sweep and will look to gain more ground Tuesday in a rescheduled doubleheader against Concordia. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Schilke Fields. The games will mark the regular-season home finale for the Warriors, who will play their final eight contests on the road.