THE BASICS
Score: Game 1: Madonna University 9, Aquinas College 4
Game 2: Madonna 10, Aquinas 4
Records: Madonna (8-7, 4-2), Aquinas (16-14, 1-5)
Location: WMSC Sports Complex - Rockford, Mich.

ROCKFORD, Mich.- The Madonna University baseball team stayed on the west side of the state for the second day in a row as they went up against Aquinas College for an afternoon double header. 

GAME 1
TURNING POINT

• The Crusaders scored six runs throughout the first two innings which gave them the lead they needed throughout the game. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Kyle Aniol started the game with a single through the middle of the infield. Two batters later Zachary Beadle would bring him in on a double down the left field line. Gordon Ferguson would come up as he would then single to centerfield and drive in Beadle. The final run of the Crusaders inning came as Alex Garbacik doubled down the right field line and Madonna led 3-0 after the first. 
• The Crusaders saw similar success in the second as they would yet again score three runs. Aniol, Matt Staelgraeve and Adrian Reed reached base to start the inning. Beadle would earn a walk to bring in a run, and Ferguson would single through the infield to bring in two more Crusaders runs. 
• The Crusaders bats would stay quiet until the fourth when Beadle would start the inning with a single. Ferguson would yet again come in clutch as he would double to right center field and bring in a run. Garbacik would hit a sacrifice fly to add a second Madonna run. 
• The final Crusaders run came in the seventh inning when Jace Matkin would hit a double to start the inning and then score on a Ryan Celmer single.
• The Saints would attempt a comeback in the bottom of the eighth when they would score four runs as they would clear the bases loaded on a double and bring in another run on a single to left center. 

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• The Crusaders would hit six doubles throughout the first game.
• Crusaders pitchers, Nate Blain, Blake Garrison, and Joe Wozniak would combine to strike out 10.
• Eight of the nine Crusaders in the lineup tallied hits in the game which totaled a season-high 16 hits.  

TOP PERFORMERS

• Ferguson went 4-5 throughout the game as he would also bring in four runs and score a run himself. 
• Blain pitched a solid seven innings while only allowing three hits and struck out six.
• Reed had another solid game as he went 3-6 and added a double with a run scored in the game. 

GAME 2
TURNING POINT

• The winning run was provided in the fifth inning when Matkin stole second and Garbacik was able to score off an error from the Saints pitcher.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Crusaders started the game on a hot note again as they scored two runs in the first inning. Reed and Aniol both were able to get on base to start the game for the Crusaders. Beadle was able to reach on a fielder's choice and Reed ended up scoring on a throwing error. Ferguson would reach base on a single next and then on an overthrow to first base Beadle would score on the error.
• Neither team would see any action until the fifth inning when the Crusaders scored three. Noah Moore, Ferguson and Garbacik all were able to get on base with two men out and then came Matkin up to the plate who brought in two runs on a single to left field. Garbacik was able to score during the following at bat due to a throwing error from the pitcher. 
• The Saints would respond with four runs over the next two innings. As they would score on an RBI double to right field and then a couple batters later score from a groundout RBI. In the sixth they would take advantage of a Crusader error and a sacrifice hit to the pitcher to bring in another two runs. 
• The Crusaders put the nail in the coffin though in the top of the ninth when they were able to put a five spot on the board as four of the runs were unearned. Logan Dziadzio and Beadle would score on a fielder's choice, while Garbacik and Ferguson would both add runs due to singles, and Matkin would come home on a sacrifice play. 

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• The Crusaders would tally six stolen bases throughout the second game as they were led by Matkin who would tally three. 
• Four Crusaders pitchers would combine to only give up five hits and strike out eight. 

TOP PERFORMERS

• Daniel Gore had an outstanding day on the mound as he would not allow a hit through four innings. Overall he would go five innings and give up two run on two hits and strike out seven. 
• Ross Rickel had a nice showing out of the bullpen, going three innings on only allowing one hit. 
• Matkin went 3-4 from the plate as he would also knock in three runs and would steal three bases. 

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders will look to take a game back from the Tigers as they will face off against them again today, Sunday March 14th, with a first pitch at 1 PM. 

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