Midland Earns Ranked Road Win, Splits with No. 24 Keiser

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Midland University continued its weekend series against No. 24 Keiser University with a doubleheader Saturday. The Warriors split the day, earning a hard-fought 6-4 win in Game 1 before falling 14-5 in a rain-shortened seven-inning Game 2.

GAME 1: Midland 6, No. 24 Keiser 4

The Warriors put runners on the corners following back-to-back fielder's choices and a Seahawk error. Hunter Spencer scored on a groundout to give Midland an early 1-0 lead.

Spencer again sparked the offense in the top of the third with a single and a stolen base. Cooper Benecke reached on an error, allowing Spencer to move to third. Dax Wandler then blasted a three-run home run to center field to extend the lead to 4-0.

Keiser responded in the bottom of the third. A single and back-to-back walks loaded the bases before the Seahawks hit a grand slam to tie the game at 4-4.

Jimmy Martinez delivered a two-out double in the top of the fifth to shift the momentum back to Midland. Chase Bouges entered as a pinch runner, and consecutive walks by Benecke, Wandler and Owen Glover forced in a run. Benecke later scored on a wild pitch to give the Warriors a 6-4 advantage.

Cole Hupke closed the door for Midland, earning the save with two scoreless innings to secure the Game 1 victory.

Harrison Acquaro earned the win, allowing one hit and striking out one in one inning of relief.

Statistical standouts:
Hunter Spencer: 1-for-4, 2 runs
Jimmy Martinez: 1-for-3, double
Dax Wandler: 1-for-2, home run, three RBIs, run
Owen Glover: 1-for-3, RBI
Cole Hupke: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K (SV)

GAME 2: No. 24 Keiser 14, Midland 5 (7 innings)

Keiser jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first with three consecutive singles to score three runs.

After two scoreless innings, Spencer opened the third with a single up the middle. Martinez reached on an error, and both runners advanced on a wild pitch to move into scoring position. Eimir Perez singled through the left side to score Spencer, and Glover followed with a three-run home run to give Midland a 4-3 lead.

The Seahawks answered quickly, recording three hits to plate three runs and reclaim a 6-4 lead by the end of the third.

In the fifth, Keiser used back-to-back walks to set up a three-run home run, followed by a solo shot to stretch the lead to 10-4.

Easton Mitchell doubled in the sixth, and Bouges entered as a courtesy runner. A groundout moved Bouges to third before Wandler drove him in with a sacrifice fly to make it 10-5.

Keiser added four more runs before the game was called due to rain. Midland falls 14-5 in game two of the doubleheader. 

Statistical standouts:
Hunter Spencer: 1-for-2, run
Eimir Perez Jr.: 2-for-4, RBI, run
Owen Glover: 1-for-4, home run, three RBIs, run
Easton Mitchell: 1-for-3, double

Midland (3-10) will conclude its trip to West Palm Beach on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 1.