Midland Pitcher Groninga Named GPAC Pitcher of the Week

Sophomore Mackenzie Groninga led Midland to two wins with strong pitching performance.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Midland University sophomore pitcher Mackenzie Groninga was named the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Pitcher of the Week for her performance in games played from February 16-22, 2026. Groninga, from Blair, Nebraska, won both of her starts, striking out 22 batters over 16 innings while posting a 1.31 ERA.

Why it matters

This recognition highlights Groninga's strong start to the season and Midland's success on the softball diamond. As a sophomore, Groninga is establishing herself as one of the top pitchers in the GPAC conference.

The details

In her two starts last week, Groninga recorded 22 strikeouts over 16 innings pitched, allowing just 7 hits and 3 earned runs. She completed both of her starts, demonstrating her ability to go deep into games and provide quality innings for the Midland Warriors.

  • Groninga's award-winning performances took place from February 16-22, 2026.

The players

Mackenzie Groninga

A sophomore pitcher for the Midland University softball team.

Midland University

A university located in Fremont, Nebraska that competes in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC).

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The takeaway

Groninga's strong start to the season is a positive sign for the Midland softball team, as they look to build on their success and compete for a GPAC championship.