Warriors Open Play at NAIASB Invitational
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#16 Missouri Baptist | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 1 |
|
#11 Midland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Final (9) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
#11 Midland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
|
(RV) Baker | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Columbia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 1 |
|
#11 Midland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
SHAWNEE, Okla. – Midland University opened play at the annual NAIA Invitational this weekend with one game on Friday and two on Saturday. The Warriors faced No. 16 Missouri Baptist, (RV) Baker, and Columbia in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Midland went 1-2 to open the tournament, falling to Missouri Baptist 5-2 and Columbia 4-1 while earning a 2-1 extra-inning win over Baker.
FRIDAY: Missouri Baptist 5, Midland 2
In the opening game of the invitational, the Warriors and Spartans met in a matchup of preseason-ranked teams. Missouri Baptist scored two runs in the top of the first on a pair of hits and stolen bases. Midland answered in the bottom half when Alexis Shepherd doubled home Isabelle Pagan, who reached on a one-out walk.
Neither team threatened in the second inning. The Spartans added a run in both the third and fourth innings to take a 4-1 lead midway through the game.
Midland scored once in the bottom of the fourth. Shepherd led off with a single, and Jayci Reimers followed with a one-out double. With runners on the corners, Grace Behrns drove in a run with a groundout. That proved to be the Warriors' final run, while Missouri Baptist added one more for the 5-2 final.
Campbell Petrick took the loss in the circle, allowing four earned runs on 11 hits in seven innings.
Statistical Standouts
- Alexis Shepherd: 2-for-3, R, 2B, RBI
- Grace Behrns: 1-for-3, RBI
SATURDAY, GAME ONE: Midland 2, Baker 1 (9 innings)
The Warriors fell behind in the third inning when Baker hit an RBI triple. Midland responded two batters later as Emma Hodnet launched a solo home run — the team's first of the season — to tie the game.
The score remained tied through seven innings before Midland broke through in the ninth under the international tiebreaker rule. Jayci Reimers singled to left, advancing placed runner Sydney Atkins to third.
Danielle Schoby pinch-hit and delivered an RBI single. Baker limited the damage to one run but was unable to move its placed runner, and Midland secured the extra-inning victory.
Mackenzie Groninga pitched a complete game, striking out a career-high 12 while allowing one run on four hits over nine innings.
Statistical Standouts
- Mackenzie Groninga: 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 12 K
- Danielle Schoby: 1-for-1, RBI
- Emma Hodnet: 1-for-4, R, RBI, HR
SATURDAY, GAME TWO: Columbia 4, Midland 1
In the final game Saturday, Midland and Columbia were scoreless through two innings. After a scoreless top of the third for the Cougars, the Warriors broke through in the bottom half.
Zoe Dickson reached on a throwing error and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Schoby. Shepherd followed with an RBI single down the line. As Dickson scored, Shepherd advanced to second.
Columbia answered in the fourth, scoring two runs on two hits while taking advantage of a Midland error. The Cougars added a run in both the fifth and sixth innings and relied on their defense to secure the 4-1 win.
Petrick was charged with the loss, allowing four unearned runs on 10 hits with one strikeout.
Statistical Standouts
- Alexis Shepherd: 1-for-2, RBI
- Emma Hodnet: 1-for-2, BB
Midland (6-5) returns to action Sunday in Oklahoma with matchups against Friends (7-5) at 10 a.m. and Avila (5-4) at 12:15 p.m.