Warriors’ Bats Heat Up in Game Two, Split Series with Waldorf

LINCOLN, Neb. – Midland University hosted Waldorf University at the Sandhills Global Youth Complex in Lincoln, Nebraska, due to unplayable home field conditions following a winter storm. The Warriors split the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader, falling short in an 8-5 comeback attempt in game one before bouncing back with an 11-1 run-rule victory in game two.

GAME ONE: Waldorf 8, Midland 5

Waldorf jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a single followed by a home run. The Warriors extended their advantage in the second, loading the bases and scoring on an error before adding two more runs on a single to make it 5-0.

After a scoreless third inning, Waldorf continued its offensive push with a single and another home run, increasing the lead to 7-0.

Midland got on the board in the fourth inning when Hadyn Crawford drew a leadoff walk, with Chase Bouges entering as a pinch runner. Eimir Perez and Deven Gomez followed with walks to load the bases. A sacrifice fly by Kobe Sandstrom brought home Bouges, making it 7-1.

After a quiet fifth inning, Waldorf added another run with a home run, pushing its lead to 8-1.

Perez led off the bottom of the sixth with a single to right-center, followed by a two-run homer to center from Sandstrom to cut the deficit to 8-3.

Midland made a final push in the seventh when Joshua Hardamon doubled to lead off, and Crawford followed with a two-run homer to center, closing the gap to 8-5. However, Waldorf held off the rally to secure the victory.

Statistical Standouts

• Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-3, R, 2B
• Hadyn Crawford: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, HR
• Eimir Perez: 2-for-3, 2B
• Kobe Sandstrom: 1-for-2, 3 RBI, HR
• Anthony Martinez: 1-for-1, 2B

GAME TWO: Midland 11, Waldorf 1

Midland took an early lead in the first inning as Brody Boyle reached on a throwing error and Hardamon followed with an RBI double to make it 1-0.

The Warriors broke the game open in the second. Deven Gomez walked, Sandstrom was hit by a pitch, and Ben Kirkland entered as a courtesy runner. A throwing error allowed Gomez to score and kept the bases loaded. Boyle followed with an RBI single before back-to-back home runs from Crawford and Chris Ortega gave Midland a commanding 7-0 lead.

Waldorf scored its only run in the third with a double and an RBI single.

Midland added three more runs in the sixth. Liquori walked, advanced on a wild pitch, and moved to third on a passed ball before scoring on a fielder's choice. Hardamon was hit by a pitch, and Crawford reached on an error, allowing Boyle to score. Ortega and Perez both walked, and Gomez singled to drive in another run, making it 10-1.

The Warriors sealed the win in the seventh when Sandstrom was hit by a pitch, and Liquori and Martinez drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Hardamon then singled, bringing home Kirkland and securing the 11-1 run-rule victory.

Zachary Vincent earned the complete-game win, throwing 106 pitches over seven innings while allowing just six hits, one run, and two walks while striking out eight.

Statistical Standouts

• Brody Boyle: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, 3 R
• Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2B
• Hadyn Crawford: 1-for-4, 4 RBI, HR, 2 R
• Chris Ortega: 1-for-2, RBI, HR, R
• Zachary Vincent: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K

"We didn't play good enough baseball in all three phases in the first game but the guys did a good job of responding in the second," commented head coach Shea Bennett. "Now we need to get ready to have a great day tomorrow for both games."

Midland (6-17, 2-4 GPAC) will host Dakota Wesleyan (5-18, 4-2 GPAC) in a conference doubleheader on Saturday. The games, originally scheduled for Fremont, have been relocated to Bellevue West High School due to weather. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.