TUCSON, Ariz. – The Madonna University softball team pounded out 20 hits to back a pair of impressive pitching performances, which led to a 2-0 start at the Tucson Invitational Games at the Lincoln Park North Complex on Friday afternoon.

The Crusaders, who received votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll, opened the trip with a 3-2 win over No. 23 Park University before dismissing Goshen College 10-4. Madonna improved to 4-0 on the season.

In the opener, Erin Combs (SR/Imlay City, Mich.) improved to 2-0 on the year as she allowed just two runs on five hits in seven innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Kayla Rebain (SR/Plymouth, Mich.) paced the eight-hit attack for the Crusaders as she finished 3-for-3 with one run scored.

After she allowed a leadoff single to begin the game, Combs settled in and sat down the next 11 batters, which allowed the offense to build a lead.

The Crusaders stranded runners at second and third in the second before getting on the board in the bottom of the third. Back-to-back singles by Morgan Kaiser (SR/Flat Rock, Mich.) and Mikey Kish (SR/Allen Park, Mich.) put two on with one out and a Nicky Salloum (SR/Livonia, Mich.) fielder's choice loaded the bases. Breanna Keethler(SR/Flat Rock, Mich.) then delivered a sacrifice fly to left, but Kish was doubled-up on the play to end the inning.

Madonna added to the lead in the fourth as Bri Giordano (SR/Plymouth, Mich.) and Rebain began the frame with singles. Halee Warren (SO/Canton, Mich.) plated the Crusaders second run with a RBI groundout and Kerstyn Comerzan (SO/Woodhaven, Mich.) added another with a single to right center.

With a 3-0 lead, Combs worked around an error in the fifth, but three hits in the sixth led to a pair of Goshen runs. Britanee Willard followed a Hailey Costello single with a one out triple for the Pirates' first run and scored two batters later on Brooke Kunkel's base hit.

Combs then worked around a two-out double in the seventh to seal the victory.

The offense exploded in game two to the tune of 10 runs on 12 hits to back freshman Madisen Henry (FR/Swartz Creek, Mich.)'s first collegiate start.

Salloum and Kish led the offense as the duo combined for five hits, six RBIs and three runs scored. Henry held her own in the circle as she allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out 10 against just two walks.

Madonna scored early and often. It all started in the first as Kaiser walked, stole second and scored two batters later on Salloum's single to left.

After Henry set Goshen down in order, the offense picked up where it left off. Rebain led off with a single and a pair of bunts and two fielder's choices loaded the bases with two out. Kish delivered the big hit, a two-run single to left, for a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, two singles and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for the Maple Leafs. Kish proceeded to pick off the runner at third and Henry got a strikeout, but could not escape the inning unscathed as Brooke Maes tied the game with a 3-run home run to left.

The Crusaders took the lead back for good in the fourth when they plated four runs on three hits and three Goshen errors. Back-to-back errors put Becky Giacobbi(SO/Livonia, Mich.) and Kaiser on base before Kish doubled to left center, scoring them both. Salloum also doubled, scoring Kish for a 6-3 advantage. Keethler added the fourth run on another sacrifice fly, which plated Salloum.

A pair of doubles in the bottom of the inning cut the MU lead to three, 7-4, but the Crusaders offense was not finished.

Three runs in the seventh inning sealed the victory for the Blue and Gold. Salloum led off with a double and Morgan Thompson (SR/Fort Gratiot, Mich.) followed a two out Emma Sikina (FR/Woodhaven, Mich.) walk with a single to score Salloum. Comerzan delivered the dagger with a two-run single for the 10-4 margin.

The Crusaders continue their stay in Tucson, Ariz. with a triple header on Saturday, Mar. 4. Madonna opens with an exhibition against Douglas College at 1 p.m. before facing Judson University at 3:30 p.m. and William Penn University at 8 p.m.