LIVONIA, Mich. - The Madonna University softball team squared off against Judson University (Ill.) for the second time this season and seventh time in the past five years and, like the earlier meeting this season, the Crusaders dominated the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at University Field.

The Blue and Gold improved to 7-2 on the season with an 8-0 run-rule win in six innings and a 7-4 victory in game two that sent the Eagles to 4-10 on the year.  

GAME 1: #RV Madonna 8, Judson 0 (6 innings)
Neither offense could get much going until the third inning when Makayla Bassage singled with one out, Veronica Pezzoni was hit by a pitch and Kattie Popko singled to load the bases with two outs. That's when Brooke Garbarino stepped to the plate with a bases clearing triple to right center and a 3-0 lead.

Popko and Garabarino were again responsible for the scoring in the fifth as Popko doubled to left center with two outs and Garbarino drove a ball to the left field fence where the Judson fielder misplayed the ball over the fence for the 5-0 advantage. 

Madonna ended the game early in the sixth as Brooklyn Dolloff singled, Emily Pawelski walked and Amy Clegg doubled home a run. Bassage gave MU the run-rule win with a two-run single up the middle. 

In the circle, Madisen Henry tossed a gem as she sat down seven straight and 17-of-18 after allowing the first two batters to reach. Her run included five consecutive strikeouts. The senior was masterful in her first official outing of the season as she allowed three hits and struck out 10 over six innings. 

The Crusaders collected nine hits, led by Popko's 3-for-3 with two runs scored while Dolloff and Bassage each added a pair of hits. 

GAME 2: #RV Madonna 7, Judson 4
The offense belted out 12 hits in the nightcap and got the scoring started early with a three spot in the second. Dolloff led off with a single and scored on another two-out hit, this time a double off the bat of Amy Clegg. Veronica Pezzoni swapped places with Clegg for the 2-0 lead and an error off the bat of Sarah Holton brought in one more. 

The Eagles got a solo home run in the fourth, but MU added four of their own in the bottom of the frame. Bailey Martin-Brown singled and scored on a one out base hit by Pezzoni. Garbarino followed three batters later with a two-out, two-run double and Jenna Gilbert drove in her pinch runner Emily Biggott for the 7-1 margin. 

Judson used a pair of extra base hits in the sixth to cut the lead to three, 7-4, before reliever Ciera Jones came on in relief to shut down the rally and earn the save. 

Alyssa Fessenden improved to 3-1 with the win as she allowed four runs, three earned, on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts over 5.1 innings while Jones earned the save with 1.2 scoreless frames with one walk and three strikeouts. 

Four different Crusaders, Pezzoni (2-for-4), Popko (2-for-3), Garbarino (2-for-3), and Dolloff (2-for-3) collected a pair of hits while Pezzoni scored twice and drove in a pair. 

UP NEXT
The Crusaders wrap up the four-game series again Judson with a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Sunday, March 14. Tickets are available at www.mucrusaders.com/tickets. Fans can read the most updated fan policy here.

Those that can't attend can watch the game at www.mucrusaders.com/watch. 

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