Warriors Open Weekend with Sweep of Briar Cliff

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Midland University traveled to Sioux City, Iowa, for a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader against Briar Cliff University. The Warriors earned their first sweep of the season, taking the opener in a hard-fought 6-4 battle and securing a 1-0 win in Game 2 behind a complete-game shutout from Zachary Vincent.

GAME ONE: Midland 6, Briar Cliff 4

Briar Cliff struck first in the bottom of the first inning, using a single, a double, and a groundout to take an early 1-0 lead.

After a quiet second inning, Midland found its rhythm in the third. Alec Villanueva reached on a Chargers error, and with two outs, Brody Boyle singled to keep the inning alive. Joshua Hardamon drew a walk to load the bases, and Chris Ortega followed with another walk, allowing Villanueva to score and tie the game at 1-1. A wild pitch brought Boyle home, and Nate Reyes singled to drive in Hardamon, giving the Warriors a 3-1 lead.

The Chargers answered in the bottom half of the third, plating two runs on a pair of hits to even the score at 3-3.

Midland regained the lead in the fourth. Jacob Liquori drew a two-out walk, and Sotero Ureno singled to center to move him to second. Ben Kirkland entered as a courtesy runner. Boyle then singled to bring home Liquori and put Midland back on top, 4-3.

Briar Cliff tied it again in the fifth with a double, followed by a wild pitch and a groundout to bring the runner in and make it 4-4.

The game remained tied through a scoreless sixth and seventh, sending it into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Reyes led off with a walk. Haydn Crawford singled to right-center, advancing Reyes to third. Eimir Perez walked to load the bases. Villanueva reached on a fielder's choice, with the Chargers making the out at home to keep the game tied. Liquori then came through with a clutch RBI single to score Crawford. A Briar Cliff error during the play allowed Perez to also score, giving Midland a 6-4 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth.

Brandon Creps entered to close it out, sealing the hard-fought win for the Warriors in a back-and-forth contest.

Owen Kelley earned the win, tossing 7.0 innings while allowing seven hits, four runs, and three walks while striking out five. Creps picked up the save with 1.0 inning of relief, giving up two hits and one walk with one strikeout.

Statistical Standouts

• Brody Boyle: 2-for-5, RBI, R
• Nate Reyes: 1-for-3, RBI
• Jacob Liquori: 1-for-3, RBI, R

GAME TWO: Midland 1, Briar Cliff 0

Midland scored the only run of the game in the fourth inning. Joshua Hardamon drew a walk to reach base, and Chris Ortega followed with a clutch double to drive him in.

Zachary Vincent was dominant on the mound, throwing a complete game on just 98 pitches over 7.0 innings. He allowed only four hits and one walk while striking out nine to keep the Chargers off the scoreboard.

Statistical Standouts

• Chris Ortega: 1-for-3, RBI, 2B
• Zachary Vincent: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 9 K

"The boys competed hard in game one to get a hard-fought win," said head coach Shea Bennett. "We overcame a few mistakes and got some big knocks late in the game. Owen did a great job responding after a tough start. Game one was all Vincent—just commanding all of his pitches for strikes. We have to reset and get ready for two more tomorrow."

Midland (11-20, 7-7 GPAC) will host Briar Cliff (12-17, 5-9 GPAC) to close out the four-game series on Sunday, April 6. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Moller Field in Fremont, Nebraska.