THE BASICS
Russ-Matt Invitational
Scores: MU 3, UMD 2 (10 innings)
Records: Madonna University 9-9), University of Michigan-Dearborn (7-3-1)
Location: Auburndale, Fla. - Lake Myrtle Sports Park Field 8
 

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AUBURNDALE, Fla.- After a tough series over the weekend, the Madonna University baseball team got an injection of energy as Nick Sykes delivered a walk-off home run to left field on a 0-1 pitch with one out in the 10th inning to give the Crusaders a 3-2 win over the University of Michigan-Dearborn in a non-conference contest to kick off the Russ-Matt Invitational.

The home run punctuated what was a fantastic start by Ross Rickel, who earned a no decision, as he allowed two runs on nine hits over 5.1 innings and struck out two. Donovan Thacker and John Beuckeleare were nearly perfect in relief as they combined for 4.2 scoreless innings, four strikeouts and five base runners.

The Wolverines outhit the Crusaders 12-6 in the contest, but the Blue and Gold made theirs count led by Skyes who paced the offense with a pair of hits. Noah Renaud, Alex Garbacik, Adrian Reed and Jerad Dokey were responsible for the other four hits while Frankie Lucska drew two of MU's five walks in the contest.

Madonna struck first in the bottom of the first as Jalen Thomas led off with a hit-by-pitch and scored four batters later on a Stephan Parker RBI walk. MU had the passes loaded with one out, but a double play ended the threat. A pair of hits and a ground out for the Wolverines in the fourth tied the game.

Dokey answered back quickly in the bottom of the frame as he singled home Garbacik with two outs for the 2-1 lead. UM-Dearborn tied the game again the the fifth as a leadoff double came around to score on a two-out base hit.

The Crusaders as numerous chance to score as they stranded nine men on base, but the same can be said for UMD as they left 10. Sykes made it a mute point with one swing of the bat as he sent a 0-1 pitch over the left field fence for the walk-off win. The victory move the Crusaders back to .500 on the year (9-9) while the Wolverines fall to 7-3-1.

UP NEXT

• The Blue and Gold play the second of three games in the Russ-Matt Invitational on Tuesday, Mar. 5 as they face Robert Morris University - Chicago with first pitch slated for 10:15 a.m.
• Live stats, weather and internet permitting, will be available at www.mucrusaders.com/live.

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