Midland wins three of four

     Midland won three Tri-Rivers Conference baseball games in recent action before losing a non-conference game to Durant.

     The Eagles (17-6, 19-10) had “the best game we have played in a while” in an 11-1, six-inning home win over North Cedar July 1, according to head coach Ryan Steines.

     “We had a great practice Friday morning, and it carried over into the game Saturday.”

     Austin Smith pitched a three-hitter with four strikeouts, walking none. The Eagles collected 11 hits. Fisher Bisinger was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in. Landon Hunter and Eli Spilman both went 2-for-4. Griffin Gravel and Austin Smith also doubled.

     “Austin went out and threw strikes, and forced North Cedar to put the ball in play,” Steines said. “The defense did a great job of making plays behind Austin. At the plate, we had some of the best at bats we have had in a while.”

     On July 5, the Eagles swept a makeup doubleheader at Bellevue Marquette, winning 12-1 in six innings and 8-7 in 10 innings. Midland had nine hits in the first game, led by Alex Smith, who was 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Bisinger also doubled. Bisinger pitched a one-hitter with nine strikeouts to get the win.

     “Fisher came out and threw another really nice game,” Steines said. “We had really great at bats throughout this game.”

     In the second game, the teams played to a 4-4 tie through seven innings. Each team scored twice in the ninth, and Midland outscored the Mohawks 2-1 in the 10^th to get the win. Bisinger was 3-for-5 with a double. Connor Harms went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Austin Smith was 2-for-4 with a double, and Jensen Dodge went 2-for-5. Hunter and Bisinger also had doubles. Austin Smith, pitching in relief of Harms, worked 3 1/3 innings to get the win.

     “This was a great game to have heading into districts for both teams,” the coach said. “It put both teams in a lot of tight situations like we will see in district play.

     “In both games it was nice to see multiple players come through with big hits in big situations.”

     Midland then played host to Durant July 6, and was handed a 16-3 loss in five innings. The Eagles did have 11 hits, with Austin Smith, Hunter, Spilman and Dodge getting two apiece.

     “Durant hit the ball hard, and we struggled to make plays,” the coach said.