Rosewood knocks off unbeaten Midway, snaps 17-game streak in 3-2 road win

For the first time all season, Midway walked off the field without a win — and it was Rosewood that delivered the blow.

The Eagles edged the Raiders 3-2 on the road Friday night, handing Midway its first loss after a 17-game start and improving to 9-6 on the season. It marked a statement win for a Rosewood team that had been shut out 8-0 in the first meeting earlier this year.

In a matchup that felt more like late-season softball than April, runs were hard to come by and every at-bat carried weight.

Midway struck first in the opening inning, taking advantage of a Rosewood error to go ahead 1-0. But the Eagles settled in behind junior McCandless St. John, who controlled the game from the circle the rest of the way.

St. John delivered a complete-game effort, allowing five hits and two runs (one earned) over seven innings while striking out four and walking two. More importantly, she matched Midway pitch for pitch in a game where one swing could decide it.

That swing came from her bat as well.

After Rosewood responded to tie the game, St. John helped push the Eagles in front with a key RBI single in the third inning, giving them a 2-1 lead. The Eagles added just enough from there, holding off Midway late to secure the one-run victory.

At the plate, St. John and Hayley Bedford led the way, each collecting two hits. St. John finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Bedford added a double and drove in a run as part of her two-hit night. Marley Parrish and Kylie Huffman also contributed hits in a balanced offensive effort that produced seven total.

Midway managed just four hits as a team, though Ella Clark and Peyton Herring each recorded triples, accounting for the Raiders’ two runs. Maelyn Phillips led Midway with a pair of hits.

Despite the loss, the Raiders were clean defensively, finishing without an error and turning a double play. Kyleigh Stonerock took the loss in the circle, striking out nine over five innings while allowing three runs on seven hits.

The win carries added significance for Rosewood beyond the standings.

It was the first meeting between the programs since 2020 and now comes with conference implications, as the two teams are competing in the same league this season. It also narrows a gap in a matchup that has favored Midway in recent years — the Eagles entered 2-6 against the Raiders since 2016.

Friday night didn’t erase that history, but it added a new chapter — one that showed Rosewood can go toe-to-toe with one of the area’s top teams.

And this time, finish the job.