Warriors Drop Pair of Games in Texas on Opening Day

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Midland University traveled to San Antonio, Texas, to open the 2026 season in a nonconference, four-game weekend series against Our Lady of the Lake. The Warriors dropped both games of the doubleheader, falling 4-3 in Game 1 and 3-2 in Game 2.

GAME ONE: Our Lady of the Lake 4, Midland 3

The Warriors got on the board first in the top of the third inning. Brody Boyle singled on a bunt and advanced to second to start the rally. Dax Wandler reached on a throwing error, and on a fielder's choice Wandler advanced to second as Jimmy Martinez drew a walk to load the bases. A sacrifice fly by Cooper Benecke scored Wandler to give Midland a 1-0 lead.

The Saints tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. A walk and a groundout put a runner in scoring position, and a single brought him home to even the score at 1-1.

Midland responded in the top of the sixth. Diego Sanchez singled to left field, and Eimir Perez Jr. tripled to left-center to score Sanchez and give Midland a 2-1 lead.

Our Lady of the Lake answered in the bottom of the sixth, opening the inning with back-to-back singles before advancing runners to second and third on a bunt. A flyout scored two runs to give the Saints a 3-2 lead. Three consecutive singles later in the inning added another run to extend the lead to 4-2.

Dax Wandler led off the top of the seventh with a single to right field, and Martinez drew a walk to move Wandler to second. Jax Sorensen pinch-ran for Martinez. On a throwing error, Benecke reached first as Sorensen advanced to second and attempted to take third, but the Saints recorded the out to end the game, handing Midland a 4-3 loss to open the doubleheader.

Statistical Standouts

• Dax Wandler: 1-for-4, 2 R

• Eimir Perez Jr.: 1-for-3, RBI, 3B, SB

GAME TWO: Our Lady of the Lake 3, Midland 2

The Saints scored first in the bottom of the third, drawing a walk followed by a double to take a 1-0 lead.

The Warriors responded in the top of the fourth with a solo home run by Cooper Benecke to tie the game at 1-1.

Midland took the lead in the top of the sixth. Dax Wandler drew a walk, moved to second on a groundout, and scored on a double to left-center by Jimmy Martinez to make it 2-1.

Our Lady of the Lake rallied in the bottom of the seventh. A single and a throwing error moved a runner to third, and a stolen base put two runners in scoring position. A fielder's choice and a fielding error allowed the tying run to score, and a double to left-center brought home the winning run to walk it off, giving the Saints a 3-2 victory.

Statistical Standouts

• Jimmy Martinez: 2-for-2, BB, RBI, 2B

• Cooper Benecke: 1-for-3, RBI, HR, R

• Owen Glover: 1-for-1