THE BASICS

Scores: MU 4, BC 5 (9 innings); MU 4, BC 6

Records: Madonna (5-3), Bryan (6-2)

Location: Sentor Field - Dayton, Tennessee

DAYTON, Tenn. - The Madonna University baseball team found themselves on the losing end of both games today at Sentor Field in Dayton, dropping the four game series to No. 15 Bryan College 3-1. The Blue and Gold dropped game one in extra innings once again while game two was decided by two runs as the Crusaders could not complete the comeback.

GAME 1: Madonna 4, Bryan 5 (8 innings)

• Second Inning

  • Nick Sykes led the inning off with a walk before Noah Renaud singled up the middle to advance Sykes to second base. Adrian Reed followed with a sacrifice bunt that moved both runners into scoring position before Alex Garbacik singled through the six hole to put MU ahead 1-0. With Renaud advancing to third base on the Garbacik single, Noah Moore sent a fly ball to deep center field that scored Renaud for a 2-0 Crusaders lead.

• Third Inning

  • Jerad Dokey singled through the right side and stole second base to put himself into scoring position with no outs before an error by the Lion shortstop scored Dokey and allowed Gordon Ferguson to reach first for a 3-0 lead.

• Fourth Inning

  • Much like the start of the third inning, Renaud reached on an infield single and stole second base before Reed grounded out to the second baseman, advancing Renaud to third. Garbacik stepped to the plate and delivered a sacrifice fly to right field that increased the Crusaders lead 4-0.

  • Bryan collected two runs in the bottom half of the inning to cut the Crusaders lead to 4-2 on two hits and two MU errors.

• Eighth Inning

  • Bryan would even the score at four in the bottom of the sixth inning before winning once again won in walk-off fashion. A leadoff single and a stolen base put a runner in scoring position with one out before back to back singles plated the game winning run and secured the Lions victory 5-4.

GAME 2: Madonna 4, Bryan 6

• First  Inning

  • For the first time all series, the Lions struck first in the ballgame, plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a three-hit two out rally.

• Fifth Inning

  • Trailing 6-0, the Crusaders were able to plate a pair of runs to cut the deficit to 6-2 starting with a Garbacik single and a Moore double to left field. Joey Pejuan followed with a walk before Gordon Ferguson's fielder's choice scored Garbacik and Lucska hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Kyle Aniol, the pinch runner for Moore.

• Sixth Inning

  • With a new pitcher on the mound for the Lions, Matt Staelgraeve and Jalen Thomas walked to begin the inning as Dokey doubled to left center field, scoring Staelgraeve and advancing Thomas to third base. Garbacik was hit by the pitch to load the bases, but the Crusaders were not able to cash in any more runs, trailing 6-3 with only three outs remaining.

• Seventh Inning

  • Lucska homered to right field on a 2-0 count, making it 6-4, although the Blue and Gold were not able to mount a comeback as the next three of four batters were retired to claim both the game and the series.

INSIDE THE BOX

• Game One

  • Renaud was the lone Crusader to record more than one hit, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

  • Dokey, Garbacik, and Aniol were the only other Crusaders to collect a hit in the contest, with Garbacik picking up a pair of RBI.

  • Daniel Gore got the start on the bump for MU, lasting 5.2 innings and striking out five, but allowed three earned runs on four hits and four walks.

  • Ross Rickel took the loss for the Crusaders, relieving the final 1.2 innings and giving up one run on four hits and a walk.

• Game Two

  • Seven Crusaders recorded hits in game two of the doubleheader, with three different players collecting at least one RBI.

  • Lucska paced the offense going 1-for-2 with two RBI and one walk while Staelgraeve also had a solid day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk.

  • Ray Richard received his second loss of the season through 2.0 innings pitched and two earned runs with one walk and two strikeouts.

  • Kevin Smith, Jr. saw his first action for the Crusaders this season allowing four earned runs and four walks in 1.1 innings of work before Joe Wozniak and Greg Goodbred came in and closed the door the rest of the game.

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders return to the field on Friday, Feb. 15 in Jacksonville, Ill. for the start of a four game series with Trinity Christian College.

• Live coverage links, if available, will be posted at www.mucrusaders.com.

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