Warriors Drop Doubleheader to Doane to Open GPAC Play

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University opened conference play by hosting Doane University in a Thursday afternoon doubleheader. The Warriors battled hard but came up short, dropping Game 1, 6-4, before falling in extra innings in Game 2, 5-3.

GAME ONE: Doane 6, Midland 4

The Tigers struck first, scoring in the opening inning on a base hit. They carried their momentum into the second with a solo home run, extending their lead to 2-0.

Midland responded in the bottom of the second. Alec Villanueva and Eimir Perez drew back-to-back walks before advancing on a sacrifice bunt. A sacrifice fly brought home Villanueva, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

The Warriors continued to fight in the third. Joshua Hardamon reached after being hit by a pitch, followed by a Hadyn Crawford double that put runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly from Dax Wandler brought home Hardamon, tying the game at 2-2.

Doane reclaimed the lead in the fourth, loading the bases with a single and consecutive walks. A sacrifice fly pushed the Tigers ahead, 3-2.

Midland quickly answered in the bottom of the inning. Perez led off with a single up the middle, stole second, and advanced to third on a groundout. A sacrifice fly by Deven Gomez brought him home, tying the game at 3-3.

After a quiet fifth inning, Doane broke through in the sixth, once again loading the bases—this time with a hit-by-pitch and back-to-back walks. A single drove in two runs, giving the Tigers a 5-3 advantage.

Doane tacked on another run in the seventh, using two hits to extend its lead to 6-3.

Midland fought back in the bottom of the seventh as Brody Boyle drew a walk, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error. Hardamon delivered a single, but the rally was cut short as Doane secured the 6-4 victory.

Statistical Standouts:

• Joshua Hardamon: 2-for-2, 2B, RBI, R
• Eimir Perez: 2-for-2, R

GAME TWO: Doane 5, Midland 3 (8 Innings)

The Tigers once again started strong, drawing a first-inning walk before advancing on a groundout and a wild pitch. Another walk and a stolen base put runners in scoring position before a sacrifice fly gave Doane an early 1-0 lead.

Midland answered in the second. Villanueva drew a walk, and Perez followed with a double to left-center, bringing him home. A groundout by Kobe Sandstrom scored Perez, giving the Warriors a 2-1 lead.

Doane responded in the third with a leadoff triple, followed by a sacrifice fly to even the score at 2-2.

In the fourth, Sandstrom led off with a single, with Chase Bouges entering as a courtesy runner. Gomez followed with a single to right, and a throwing error allowed Bouges to advance to third. A sacrifice fly by Boyle brought him home, putting Midland ahead, 3-2.

The Tigers kept battling, tying the game at 3-3 in the seventh after drawing two consecutive walks and driving in a run with a single up the middle. Doane's defense then held the Warriors scoreless, sending the game into extra innings.

In the eighth, Doane capitalized on a double and a single to put runners on base. A bunt single brought in the go-ahead run, followed by consecutive walks that extended the Tigers' lead to 5-3.

Midland was unable to mount a comeback in the bottom of the eighth, as Doane closed out the Warriors to claim the extra-inning win.

Statistical Standouts

• Alec Villanueva: 2-for-3, R
• Eimir Perez: 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI
• Brody Boyle: 2-for-2, RBI

Midland (3-15, 0-2) will have a quick turnaround, hosting Concordia (12-6, 0-0) in another Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m., with Game 2 to follow on Friday, March 14.