The Briar Cliff baseball team dropped both games of their regular-season finale against Midland on Saturday afternoon in Fremont, Nebraska.
"We're in another rough patch at a less than ideal time", said head coach Corby McGlauflin. "We're hoping we get a clean slate heading into the conference tournament."
The Chargers end their regular season with a 22-24 overall record and a 9-19 conference record.
Game 1 – L, 5-6
The Cliff struck gold early on Saturday, tallying one run on one hit and a Midland error in the top of the first. Trey Rogers led off the afternoon reaching on an error as he would later be driven in by an RBI double to right-center field from Quentin Evers, who leads the team with 31 RBIs this spring.
The Chargers added to their lead in the top of the third frame behind back-to-back walks from Cyler Melvin and Jake Allen to lead off. After a sacrifice flyout from Evers, Cam Riemer was intentionally walked to load the bases. Despite carding no hits in the inning, Jared Sitzmann was awarded an RBI drawn walk to push the lead to 2-0 in favor of BC.
The Warriors stole the lead back in the bottom of the third. With two outs, Midland was fueled by three consecutive hits, including a two-run home run and a solo big fly, to take the 3-2 lead heading into the fourth.
After a scoreless top half of the fourth, the Warriors extended their lead with three runs on two hits in the bottom half of the frame. After a one-out hit batter and drawn walk, the Warriors tallied two hits and a stolen back to push three runs across, placing the Chargers in a four-run deficit with three innings left of play.
The Blue and Gold fought right back in the fifth with a big inning of their own. Evers led off the half with a double to left field and was immediately followed by back-to-back home runs from Riemer and Sitzmann to edge the Chargers closer at 5-6. Easton Cone also tallied a hit in the frame.
Briar Cliff tallied three more hits in the contest, but it proved to not be enough as Midland went on to win 6-5.
The Chargers recorded 10 hits in game one and were led by Evers, Sitzmann and Matthew Hmielewski who carded two hits each. Four other Chargers tallied one hit apiece as Riemer and Sitzmann earned two RBIs.
Kyler Steinborn went the distance for BC in game one, allowing six runs on seven hits, while striking out three.
Game Two – L, 3-12
The Chargers came out hot again in game two, carding three runs on two hits in the opening at-bat. Sitzmann drew a one-out walk as Evers was hit by a pitch to put two baserunners on. Allen then roped an RBI single to center field to put the first run on the board. Walter Hunt also got on base via walk to load the bases allowing Cone to find the timely hit, recording a two-RBI single up the middle to grant BC the early 3-0 lead.
Following a scoreless second inning, the Warriors strung together baserunners in the bottom of the third. After a leadoff single, Beau Boyle launched a two-run homer to left field to cut the deficit to one run. Midland wasn't done yet as the Warriors tallied a double, an RBI single and an RBI groundout to take the 4-3 lead.
Midland erupted for another big inning in the bottom of the fifth, tallying five runs on four hits and a costly Charger error. In the inning, the Warriors carded two singles, a double and a triple to push the Cliff into a six-run hole.
Despite tallying one hit in the fifth and two hits in the sixth, the Charger offense couldn't find the much-needed RBI as they trailed 9-3 heading into the seventh.
The Warriors found another big inning in the seventh, crossing the plate three times thanks to four hits. Boyle carded his second homer of the game and Midland tallied two doubles and a single in the seventh to further their lead 12-3.
The Chargers found one lone hit the rest of the way, ending the score at 3-12 in favor of Midland.
In game two, BC tallied eight hits and was led by Allen, who recorded two hits and an RBI. Six other Chargers garnered one hit each and Cone gathered two RBIs.
Hmielewski went 3.2 innings on the mound for Briar Cliff, allowing seven runs on six hits, while striking out two. Brett Sitzmann, usually starting for the Chargers, appeared in 3.0 innings of relief where he allowed four runs on six hits while striking out five. Austin Carter and Alex Kremer combined for the final 1.1 innings where they struck out four total Warriors.
The Chargers now prep to await their seed, pairing, and site for the GPAC Postseason Tournament.
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