Warriors Drop Doubleheader to Open GPAC Play

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University opened Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) play at home with a doubleheader against Morningside University on Saturday afternoon at Moller Field. Despite their best efforts, the Warriors dropped both games as the Mustangs' offense put up double-digit runs, winning 10-2 and 17-11.

GAME ONE: Morningside 10, Midland 2,

Morningside kicked off the competition with a strong start, securing a run in the opening inning. Haydn Crawford ignited the excitement by blasting a home run, leveling the score to a 1-1 tie at the end of the 1st.

In the 3rd inning, the Mustangs escalated their offensive efforts, adding five runs to their tally, as they established a lead. The momentum carried into the 4th, with a home run and a double to contribute three more runs, extending their advantage to 9-1.

The Warriors broke their scoring silence in the bottom of the 5th as Deven Gomez drew a walk followed by a double from Yealex Lopez. Gomez crossed home plate with a groundout.

The Mustangs sealed their victory with another homer in the 6th, putting their lead at 10-2. They effectively shut down the Warriors' offense in the concluding seven-inning game.

Cole Hupke was dealt the loss. He went 3.2 innings with nine runs allowed (three earned) with one strikeout.

Statistical Standouts

• Hadyn Crawford: 1-for-4, R, RBI, HR
• Jacob Liquori: 1-for-4, RBI

GAME TWO: Morningside 17, Midland 11

Josh Hardamon set the tone in the 1st inning with a solo home run for the Warriors. The Mustangs got their first runs on the board in the 2nd, taking the lead for the first time.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Alec Villanueva's walk put him on base. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and then Deven Gomez's double set up runners in scoring position. Yealex Lopez ignited the crowd with a homer to left field. Jacob Liquori followed suit with a home run to right center, propelling the Warriors back into the lead, 5-2.

Morningside regained momentum in the 3rd, scoring five runs to take a 7-5 lead.

Christopher Ortega kicked off the bottom of the 3rd with a homer for the Warriors, followed by Connor Petersen's double. Gomez brought Petersen home with a triple, and Lopez smashed his second home run of the game. After Liquori singled and stole second, he advanced to third on a Mustangs' error. Joshua Hardamon singled to bring him home as Midland reclaimed the lead, 10-7.

After a couple of quieter innings, the Mustangs struck again with a run in the top of the 6th.

Hardamon initiated another Warriors rally with a single and then stole second base. As Ortega was walked, Hardamon advanced to third on a wild pitch. The bases were then loaded as Alec Villanueva drew a walk. Kobe Sandrom's walk brought home Hardamon, pushing the lead to 11-8.

The Mustangs sparked the 7th inning with a homer, adding two more runs to tie the game at 11-11. Morningside staged a comeback in the 8th with a single and consecutive doubles, scoring a run. A two-run homer pushed their lead to 16-11. They would tack on one more run before the game concluded, holding the Warriors scoreless to claim a 17-11 victory.

Statistical Standouts

• Yealex Lopez: 2-for-6, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR
• Joshua Hardamon: 3-for-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
• Jacob Liquori: 2-for-6, 2 R, RBI, HR
• Christopher Ortega: 3-for-4, R, RBI, HR
• Deven Gomez: 2-for-5, 2 R, RBI, 2B, 3B

Midland (14-6, 0-2 GPAC) will have a quick turnaround as they travel to face Hastings (9-13, 1-1 GPAC) in a conference doubleheader on Sunday, March 17. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Duncan Field in Hastings, Nebraska.