Warriors Take Two to Open Season’s First Homestand

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University opened up its home schedule at Historic Moller Field on Saturday as it hosted Viterbo University, starting a four-game series between the two nonconference foes. The Warriors earned the home-opener sweep 4-1 win in game one and a 6-4 victory in game two of the doubleheader.

GAME ONE: Midland 4, Viterbo 1

Viterbo broke the scoreless drought in the 3rd inning, plating its lone run of the game.

In the 5th, Alec Villanueva opened up the offense with a double to left field, then advanced to second and third via a sacrifice bunt. Garrett Freeman doubled to bring home Villanueva, as Trystan Mills came in to pinch run. Deven Gomez doubled to bring home Mills, and the Warriors took a 2-1 lead.

The momentum into the 6th inning, as Joshua Hardamon started it off with a single to center field, as Dax Wandler came in to pinch run. Hadyn Crawford doubled to advance Wandler to third and then Connor Petersen singled to bring home both runners, staking the Warriors to a 4-1 lead.

Lucas Hamzeh, who went six innings in the start, gave way to Darius Blasingane in the 7th. Blasingane worked around a couple of baserunners to record his second save of the season. Hamzeh allowed three hits and a pair of walks in addition to the early run for his second win of the season. He also struck out five batters.

Statistical Standouts

• Connor Petersen: 1-for-3, RBI
• Garrett Freeman: 1-for-2, RBI
• Deven Gomez: 1-for-1, RBI, BB
• Hadyn Crawford: 2-for-3, R

GAME TWO: Midland 6, Viterbo 4

Just as they did in the first game of the doubleheader, Viterbo got on the board first as it scored a run in the 1st to take the early lead.

It was a short-lived advantage for the visitors as Midland responded in the bottom of the 1st with two runs of its own. Yealex Lopez opened the inning with a single to left center and then Jake Liquori bunted to get aboard as well. Liquori advanced to second on a ground-out double play and then stole third after Hadyn Crawford reached via a walk. During the steal attempt, the Viterbo pitch went wild, allowing Crawford to move into scoring position.

Connor Petersen drove in Liquori as he reached via an error. As Petersen went to steal second, Crawford raced home as the Warriors completed the double steal to go up 2-1.

Garrett Freeman heated the bats in the 2nd with a double to center field. Deven Gomez followed with a double, scoring Freeman. Liquori continued the string of doubles, bringing in Gomez. Crawford added a single to score Liquori, putting Midland in front 5-1 at the end of two innings.

Tyler Struck opened the 3rd with a double and as Ben Kirkland came in as a courtesy runner, Freeman was added to the base path as he was hit by the pitch. Kirkland stole third, putting him closer to scoring, and then came home as the V-Hawks' pitcher got wild once more, making it a 6-1 advantage for the Warriors on the scoreboard.

Viterbo attempted a comeback putting two runs on the board in the 5th, and adding one more in the 6th. Trailing 6-4 with three outs at their disposal, the V-Hawks were shut down by Owen Kelley who came on to close the game in the 7th. Kelley struck out two after inducing a groundout to season the Warriors' doubleheader sweep.

Cole Hupke earned the win with four innings of work, allowing two hits and walking three. He allowed one run while racking up seven strikeouts.

Statistical Standouts

• Jacob Liquori: 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B, BB
• Deven Gomez: 1-for-1, R, RBI, 2B
• Connor Petersen: 1-for-4, RBI
• Hadyn Crawford: 1-for-3, R, RBI

"Two good outings from our starting pitchers and some timely hitting with runners on base. It was fun to play at home for the first time," commented head coach Shea Bennett. "We are looking forward to a warm day and another doubleheader tomorrow. We need to work hard to win the weekend."

Midland (12-4) will finish out the weekend series against Viterbo (1-20) with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 9. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Moller Field in Fremont.