FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University earned a sweep over Dakota Wesleyan at home on Sunday, improving. With the Tigers serving as the home team at Moller Field, the Warriors won games 11-3 and 12-1. The victories improved Midland’s record to 16-13 overall and 8-4 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC).
GAME ONE: Midland 11, Dakota Wesleyan 3
Hadyn Crawford started the Warriors off with a double out to right center. Connor Petersen singled to left field to bring in the first run and make it a 1-0 lead.
After a scoreless second inning, the Tigers tied up the game with a run off three hits in the 3rd.
As the temperature rose, the offense heated up for the Warriors. In the top of the 4th, Jayden Gibson was walked as Trystan Mills came in as his courtesy runner. With back-to-back errors on the Tigers, Nathaniel Reyes was able to get on second base, advancing Mills to third. The bases loaded up as Dax Wandler was walked. The Warriors drew another walk from the Tigers, earning the RBI free pass. A wild pitch followed and allowed Reyes to make it home. With two Warriors still on base with only one out, Yealex Lopez fired up his bat as he homered to right-center. Jacob Liquori then singled to shortstop and Hadyn Crawford hit a homer to left-center to boost the lead to 8-1. The Warriors were cooking in the inning with seven runs off three hits and one error.
In the bottom of the 4th, Dakota Wesleyan was able to get a pair of runs back with three hits.
To start the 5th, Gibson was hit by the first pitch and then Mills came on again as his courtesy runner. He stole second base then a second wild pitch hit Reyes to put two Warriors on. Beau Boyle singled to bring home Mills before the inning came to an end.
The Warriors’ bats continued to strike in the top of the 6th as Connor Petersen started with a solo home run to left field. Another pitch hit Gibson, putting Mills on a runner once more. He was able to steal second base and then advanced to third on a throwing error by the Tigers. Reyes doubled to left field to bring in the final run of the game, making it 11-3.
Owen Kelley earned the win, with Trey Nichols coming on in relief. Kelley pitched 5.0 innings, allowing eight hits, three runs, and striking out five. Nichols pitched 2.0 innings, allowing one hit, no runs, and had a strikeout.
Statistical Standouts
- Yealex Lopez: 1-for-4, 3 RBI, HR
- Connor Petersen: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI, HR
- Hadyn Crawford: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2B
- Beau Boyle: 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 SB
GAME TWO: Midland 12, Dakota Wesleyan 1
After a scoreless start for both teams, Hadyn Crawford homered to center field to start the 2nd inning. Alec Villanueva struck out swing but reached on a wild pitch and then advanced to second on another errant throw from the Tigers. Reyes was walked and then Connor Petersen singled on a bunt to load the bases up with no outs. A sacrifice fly by Trey Nichols drove in Reyes, making it a 2-0 lead for Midland.
After two quiet innings, the Warriors opened up the 5th with a single by Petersen. A walk of Jayden Gibson and a single by Beau Boyle loaded the bases for Jacob Liquori. His patience at the plate drew another walk from the Tigers, bringing Petersen home.
Dakota Wesleyan finally broke their scoreless drought in the bottom of the 6th with a solo home run to right center.
Nichols began the 7th and then moved up to second on a passed ball. Boyle doubled to the right field to bring Nichols home. After Yealex Lopez was walked, a sacrifice fly by Crawford brought Boyle in.
The Warriors continued to boost their lead in the top of the 8th as their bats stayed hot. Nathaniel Reyes started them off with a double down the right-field line. Building up the momentum, Petersen doubled to right field to bring Reyes around. Nichols was walked and then stole second. Boyle doubled down the right field line to bring in two runs, Nichols and Petersen. Boyle stole third to put more pressure on the Tigers’ defense.
The bases loaded up full of Warriors as Liquori was walked and then Lopez was hit by a pitch. Crawford stepped to the plate and smacked a grand slam to center to make it 12-1, forcing DWU to score or the run rule would be enforced.
They were able to get a pair of runners on but the threat ended as Gibson caught a pop-up in foul territory near the Tigers’ dugout.
Jay Lambert earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings with 3 hits allowed and 10 strikeouts. Jonathan Foreman (2.0), Liquori (0.2), and Petersen (0.1) worked in relief.
Statistical Standouts
- Hadyn Crawford: 2-for-4, 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 HR
- Beau Boyle: 3-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B, BB, SB
- Conor Petersen: 4-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2B, SB
- Jay Lambert: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 10 K
Midland (16-13, 8-4 GPAC) will be back in action next weekend as they will travel up to Yankton, South Dakota to take on Mount Marty (24-7, 7-3 GPAC) in a four-game series. The first doubleheader will take place on Friday, with a 1:00 p.m. scheduled first pitch. The second doubleheader will take place on Saturday with a start time of 1:00 p.m.
