THE BASICS
Scores: MU 6, IT 5; MU 5, IT 3
Records: #RV Madonna University (24-13, 8-2 WHAC), #22 Indiana Tech University (20-13, 5-3 WHAC)
Location: Ilitch Ballpark - Livonia, Mich.
 

LIVONIA, Mich. - The Madonna University baseball team, who receive votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, used a pair of strong performances on the mound along with explosive offense to sweep the 22nd ranked Warriors of Indiana Tech on Saturday afternoon at Ilitch Ballpark.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

GAME ONE: MU 6, IT 5 (11 Innings)

• The Warriors got on the board first with a three-run third inning thanks to three hits and one error by the Crusaders

• MU responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a leadoff single by Jerad Dokey who scored two batters later on a Jalen Thomas single to right field

• A leadoff double by Gordon Ferguson set the stage for an RBI single by Dokey before a double by Stephen Parker knocked in Dokey and evened the score at three runs apiece

• A pair of walks and a sacrifice bunt moved Reed and Kyle Aniol into scoring position as Lucska ripped a single up the middle, scoring both for the first MU lead of the game

• IT used two clutch hits in the top of the ninth to extend the game but it would not be enough as Noah Moore ripped an 0-2 pitch back up the middle to score Lucska in walk-off fashion

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SAY?

• MU outhit the Warriors 14-10 in the contest and committed just one error in comparison with the Warriors two

• Thomas paced the Crusaders offense with a 3-for-5 day and an RBI while Lucska collected a team high two RBI

• Jack Ferguson was outstanding on the mound for MU, lasting eight innings and allowing just two earned run with five strikeouts

• John Beuckeleare earned the win for the Crusaders, pitching three innings and shutting the door in both the tenth and eleventh innings

GAME TWO: MU 5, IT 3

• Despite falling to an early 1-0 deficit, a Noah Renaud triple scored Thomas to even the game at one run apiece before Gordon Ferguson slapped a single to left that plated Renaud

• The Crusaders extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a three run home run by Thomas that scored Lucska and Parker

• Indiana Tech scratched runs across in the sixth and eighth but were not able to mount a comeback as Bueckeleare closed the door

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SAY

• MU was outhit 10-11 while both teams committed an error

• Seven different Crusaders recorded a hit while Thomas led the way with three RBI

• Renaud and Ferguson recorded the other RBI for the Blue and Gold

• Mencotti earned the win as he tossed six innings and allowed just two earned runs

• Ross Rickel was first out of the pen, throwing two innings before passing the ball off to Beuckeleare who earned the save in the ninth

CRUSADER VISION

• The Crusaders are set to return to action Sunday, Apr. 7 as the travel to Lima, Ohio to face off with the University of Northwestern Ohio. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.

• Live coverage will be available at mucrusaders.com

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