Warriors Cruise Past Bellevue with Run-Rule Victory

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University hosted Bellevue University for a nonconference matchup on Tuesday afternoon, securing a dominant 14-4 run-rule victory in seven innings.

Bellevue took an early lead in the top of the first, capitalizing on an error to reach base before a two-run homer to left field put the Bruins ahead.

Midland responded immediately in the bottom half, igniting its offense. Brody Boyle reached on an error, stole second, and advanced to third on a catching miscue. Hadyn Crawford followed with an RBI double to center, plating Boyle. Nate Reyes then singled through the left side, moving Crawford to third. A catching error allowed Crawford to score, while Reyes advanced to third. Back-to-back singles from Deven Gomez and Kobe Sandstrom brought Reyes home. Ben Kirkland entered as a courtesy runner for Sandstrom, setting up Jacob Liquori, who capped off the explosive inning with a three-run homer to give Midland a 6-2 lead.

The Warriors' bats stayed hot in the second. Boyle led off with a single before Joshua Hardamon launched a two-run homer to right field, extending the lead to 8-2. Reyes and Eimir Perez followed with back-to-back singles, putting two runners on. Sandstrom's RBI single scored Reyes, and a wild pitch allowed Perez to cross the plate, pushing the advantage to 10-2.

After a quiet third inning, Bellevue broke its scoring drought with two runs in the fourth.

Following a scoreless fifth, Boyle led off the bottom of the sixth with a bunt single. Hardamon continued his power surge, crushing his second homer of the game to right field to make it 12-4.

Midland sealed the win in the seventh. Adam Muniz Jr. was hit by a pitch, with Kirkland reentering as a courtesy runner. Liquori drew a walk to put two on, and pinch-hitter Dax Wandler delivered an RBI single through the right side. Bellevue then intentionally walked Hardamon to load the bases, and a wild pitch allowed Liquori to score, clinching the 14-4 run-rule victory.

"It was great to see the bats come to life. Our pitchers did a good job of attacking the zone. Overall, it was a good team win," said head coach Shea Bennett.

Statistical Standouts

• Brody Boyle: 2-for-5, 3 R, SB
• Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-4, 4 RBI, 2 HR, 2 R
• Hadyn Crawford: 2-for-4, RBI, 2 2B, R
• Jacob Liquori: 1-for-2, 3 RBI, HR, 2 R

Midland (5-16, 1-3 GPAC) returns to conference action on Saturday, March 22, hosting Waldorf (7-13, 3-1 GPAC) in a Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Historic Moller Field in Fremont, Nebraska.