THE BASICS
NAIA Leadoff Classic - Hosted by Roosevelt University
Scores: MU 7, JU 12; MU 13, RU 4; MU 3, ONU 1; MU 10, GC 2 (5); MU 6, CCU 8
Records: Madonna (3-2), Judson (1-0), Roosevelt (0-3), Olivet Nazarene (2-1), Goshen (1-1), Cincinnati Christian (1-5)
Location: The Dome at Rosemont - Rosemont, Ill.
 

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ROSEMONT, Ill. -  The Madonna University softball team wrapped up opening weekend at the NAIA Leadoff Classic with a winning record as the Crusaders finished the three-day event 3-2. After travel issues delayed their arrival, the Blue and Gold suffered a loss to Judson University. Their reschedule opener against the host Lakers ended at 1:15 a.m. on Saturday morning and resulted in a 13-4 MU win.

The Crusaders swept day two with a 3-1 win over Olivet Nazarene University and a run-rule win, 10-2, over Goshen College. The final day saw the Crusaders fall to Cincinnati Christian University 8-6 and their sixth game was canceled.

Game 1: Madonna 7, Judson 12

• The Crusaders fell to an early 2-0 deficit in the top of the first inning but responded with a run of their own thanks to a leadoff double by Sarah Holton and a sacrifice fly by Jordan Johnson.
• Following a huge seven run second inning for Judson on three hits and two errors, the Blue and Gold captured three runs back in the bottom of the third. Brooklyn Dolloff led the inning off with a walk before Becky Giacobbi advanced her on a sacrifice bunt. Holton drove a double down the right field line before Johnson ripped a triple to left field to bring around two runs. Kattie Popko capped the inning off with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Johnson.
• Trailing 12-4, the Crusaders earned three runs back, but could not complete the comeback in the late innings. Giacobbi singled to begin the inning and after Holton reached on a fielder's choice, Johnson hit a two-run home run to make the score 12-6. Popko singled to continue the inning and Halee Warren walked before Yogi Hang singled and drove in Popko.

Game 2: Madonna 13, Lakers 4

• MU struck first in the first, as a fielder's choice by Hang scored Holton, who reached on a single to center field.
• The Crusaders scored four runs on two hits in the third, improving their lead to 5-1. Popko and Warren both walked with one out and Rebecca Barnes pinch ran for Warren. Hang then doubled to left field, scoring Popko and advancing Barnes to third base. Dolloff then singled, advancing Hang to third and scoring Barnes. A fielder's choice by Haley Izworski scored Dolloff to cap the scoring in the inning.
• With the score at 7-4 in favor of the Crusaders, the Blue and Gold put the game away with a six-run seventh inning. Emma Sikina and Holton both singled to lead off the inning before Johnson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Popko then walked to score Sikina and an error by the Lakers third baseman plated two more runs for the Crusaders. Another bases loaded walk to Jordan Thayer scored Popko before Izworski reached on a fielder's choice that scored Warren. Sikina, hitting for the second time this inning, singled to second base, plating Thayer and extending the lead to 12-4.

Game 3: Madonna 3, Olivet Nazarene 1

• Giacobbi walked to begin the third inning before a Johnson fielder's choice saw her thrown out at second base. Popko was the next batter who tripled down the right field line, scoring Johnson for a 1-0 lead. Olivet scored the equalizer in the bottom half of the inning.
• A one-out single and a stolen base by Sikina put her in scoring position with Bassage stepping to the plate in the fourth. A single to left field by Bassage advanced Sikina to third base before Zoey Humes pinch ran for Bassage and Holton blasted a triple to left center field, scoring both Sikina and Humes for a 3-1 Crusaders lead.

Game 4: Madonna 10, Goshen 2 (5 innings)

• Amy Clegg made the Maple Leafs pay for an error in the first as she tripled home Kerstyn Comerzan, Warren and Popko with two outs for the early lead.
• A Hang triple plated Holton with two outs in the second and another Goshen miscue added a fifth tally.
• Goshen got a pair on a two-out, two-run double in the fourth, but the Blue and Gold added three more in the bottom half. Holton singled in one, an error brought in two more and a passed ball made it 9-2 Madonna.
• The Blue and Gold ended things early with a run-rule victory as Kassidy Lipinski, who ran for Amy Clegg, scored on a passed ball for the 10-2 win.

Game 5: Madonna  6,Cincinnati Christian 8

• An error in the top of the first led two a pair of unearned runs for the Eagles, but the Blue and Gold got one back with a two-out, solo home run off the bat of Popko.
• Popko helped put the Crusaders in front in the third as she tripled home Holton and scored on a Warren sacrifice fly.
• In the fourth, Holton singled home Giacobbi and a wild pitch made it 5-2 MU.
• A single, triple and sac fly cut the lead to one in the fifth and the Eagles took the lead in the sixth with a bases-clearing, 3-run double. .
• In the bottom of the sixth, Madonna had a chance with the bases loaded, but scored just one run to cut the deficit to one, 7-6.
• A one out triple and another sac fly accounted for the final margin, 8-6.

INSIDE THE BOX

• vs. Judson
  • Johnson paced the Crusaders offense with a 2-for-3 day, collecting four RBI and scoring twice.
  • Holton (2-for-4) and Makayla Bassage (2-for-3) each had two hits in the contest, while Popko, Hang, and Giacobbi also had hits.
  • Madisen Henry suffered the loss, lasting just 1.1 innings, giving up seven hits, nine runs, and two walks.
  • Alyssa Fessenden came in relief, throwing 5.2 innings and giving up three earned runs on three walks and two strikeouts.
• vs. Roosevelt
  • Eight different Crusaders recorded hits in the contest while 10 different Crusaders earned at least one RBI.
  • Holton (2-for-4), Popko (1-for-1) and Dolloff (1-for-3) all collected two RBI in the contest, combining for six walks as well.
  • Ciera Jones earned her first win of the season, pitching all seven innings and giving up four runs on eight hits and one walk. She collected six strikeouts in her effort.
• vs. Olivet Nazarene
  • The Blue and Gold posted seven hits with the game winner coming off the bat of Holton, who finished the game 1-for-4 with two RBI.
  • Sikina was the lone Crusader with a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3.
  • Henry threw all seven innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out three in her first win of 2019.
• vs. Goshen
  • Holton (2-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI) and Clegg (2-for-3, 2 RBI) paced the eight-hit attack while Popko added a hit and two runs.
  • Jones tossed a complete-game gem as she allowed two runs on five hits.
• vs. Cincinnati Christian
  • Holton (2-for-4, 3 runs, 1 RBI), Popko (2-for-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2 BB) and Hang (2-for-4) accounted for six of MU's nine hits
  • Fessenden got her first start and was exceptional as she allowed a pair of unearned runs on two hits with a walk and a strikeout while Jones took her first loss in relief as she allowed six run on seven hits in her three innings of work

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders head to Brighton, Mich. for the Legacy Opener hosted by Cleary University on Friday, Feb. 15. MU will face Saint Mary's (Ind.) at 9 a.m. before facing Concordia University - Ann Arbor at 2 p.m.
• Live coverage links, if available, will be posted at www.mucrusaders.com.

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