BRIGHTON, Mich. - The Madonna University softball team saw mixed results in the second Legacy Classic hosted by Concordia University (Mich.) at the Legacy Center on Friday as they went 1-1 and were not able to finish the third game. 

The Crusaders pitched well in game one, were stymied on offense in game two, but came to life in game three before it was halted due to time. The Crusaders end the day 5-2 on the year and look forward to playing outdoors for the first time next week. 

GAME 1: #RV Madonna 1, Grace 0
The first game of the day was an old fashioned pitcher's duel as Madonna's Ciera Jones (2-0) and Grace's Dori Knight (0-2) each went the distance and combined to strikeout 20 with just three walks and 15 hits. 

Both teams had numerous chances to score as the teams combined to leave 17 on base, but it was the Crusaders who were able to push a run across in the third. Bailey Martin-Brown led off the top of the frame with a walk, moved to second on a Veronica Pezzoni groundout and scored on a two-out RBI single off the bat of Kattie Popko. 

The Blue and Gold missed a prime scoring chance in the fifth as Emily Pawelski led off with a triple and MU loaded the bases, but left them full. It opened the door for the Lancers who put runners on third in the fifth and seventh innings, but Jones was able to shut down the rallies to earn the win.

Madonna finished the contest with seven hits, led by Popko (3-for-4) and Brooklyn Dolloff (2-for-3). Jones scattered eight hits over seven innings with one walk and 12 strikeouts. 

GAME 2: #RV Madonna 1, #22 St. Xavier 8
The 22nd-ranked Cougars of Saint Xavier University scored in four of the six innings in the 8-1 loss. The Crusaders offense was held to three hits in the contest, two by Popko, while the Cougars tallied 11. 

Madonna's lone run game in the fourth as Popko singled, reached third on an SXU error, and scored on Brooke Garbarino's sacrifice fly. St. Xavier plated a run in the second, three in the third, two in the fourth and two more in the sixth.

Popko led the offense with a 2-for-3 game and scored the lone run.

GAME 3: #RV Madonna 8, IU-South Bend 1 (Called after 4 innings)
Despite the stats not counting due to the game being called due to time after 3.5 innings, it was an interesting contest. All nine runs were scored in the first inning before things settled down.

The Titans of Indiana University at South Bend scored first after a leadoff double came around to score on an error, but Crusaders starter Madisen Henry struck out the side with the bases loaded and no outs to escape an early jam.

The Blue and Gold caught fire in their half of the inning as they scored eight runs on eight hits and sent 12 batters to the plate. Pezzoni led off the inning with a ground-rule double down the left field line, Holton reached on an infield single and Popko singled to load the bases for Brooklyn Prescott who drew a walk to tie the game. A Brooklyn Dolloff two-run double scored two more and Jenna Gilbert followed with an RBI single of her own for a 4-1 lead. Then, with two outs, Alyssa Fessenden drove in two with a double to center, Pezzoni plated another with a ground-rule double to left, again, and Holton doubled her home for the 8-1 lead. 

Both pitchers settled in the rest of the way as Henry finished her first outing in over a year and a half with two hits, one walk and seven strikeouts over four innings and the one unearned run.

At the plate, Pezzoni finished 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI while Holton (2-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) and Fessenden (2-for-2, 1 run, 2 RBI) also added a pair of hits. 

UP NEXT
The Crusaders will finally play outdoors for the first time this season as they welcome Judson University (Ill.) to University Field at the Madonna Athletics Complex for a four-game series. The teams will play Saturday, March 13 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, March 14 at 12 p.m., both days will be doubleheaders. Tickets will be available at www.mucrusaders.com/tickets.

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

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