THE BASICS
Score: Game 1: Madonna University 1, University of Michigan-Dearborn 2
Game 2: Madonna 4, Michigan-Dearborn 9
Records: Madonna (8-9, 4-4), Michigan-Dearborn(5-7, 5-5)
Location: Ilitch Ballpark - Livonia, Mich.

LIVONIA, Mich.- The Madonna University Crusaders baseball team returned to Ilitch Ballpark for the first time since their opening series against Rochester University. This time out Madonna went up against the Wolverines from University of Michigan-Dearborn for a Saturday doubleheader. 

GAME 1
TURNING POINT

• Wolverines taking advantage of a two-run sixth, where the Crusaders attempted a double play but a throwing error would wind up costing two runs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The game did not see much action through the first three innings as both pitchers were able to work out of jams Crusader pitcher Donovan Thacker recorded six strikeouts through the first three innings. 
• Madonna was able to strike first in the game in the fourth inning. Gordon Ferguson started the inning with a double to right field and that was followed up by a Jace Matkin triple through the right center gap to bring Ferguson in for the 1-0 lead. 
• The game was quiet until the top of the sixth when the Wolverines took their sole lead of the game and scored the only two runs that they would need. In an attempt to turn an inning ending double play Ryan Celmer tossed the ball to Gordon Ferguson for the second out and on the throwback to Celmer the ball would be just out of reach of the stretching first baseman for the error as a run would score on the play. The very next batter would come up and hit a single to left field to bring in what would be the winning run in the game.
• The Crusaders would threaten in both the seventh and eighth inning, even getting runners on second and third with one out, but would not be able to bring a run home.
• Madonna's best chance came in the form of their final opportunity when they loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but were unable to bring home the winning or tying run.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• Crusader batters would tally six extra base hits throughout the game, including five doubles and two from Zachary Beadle. 
• Madonna would steal four bases throughout the course of the game and were led by Jace Matkin with two.
• Blue and Gold pitchers were on point today as they wound up striking out a total of 12 batters as Donovan Thacker would lead the group with seven.

TOP PERFORMERS

• Adrian Reed would lead the hitting group as he would go 3-5 with a double.
• Matkin ended the game with two hits including an RBI triple and two stolen bases.
• Thacker would go five and a third strong while giving up three hits, one earned run while striking out seven.

PITCHING DECISION

• Win: Koons (2-1)
• Loss:Thacker (1-2)
• Save: Bos (1)

GAME 2
TURNING POINT

• Five runs in the first two innings of the game would give the Wolverines all the runs that they would need in order to preserve the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UM-Dearborn got the scoring started right away as they would make Ryan Dusang earn each out. Dearborn would get a pair of runs in the first inning as they would take advantage of a single and a ground out to take the early lead.
• The Wolverines would tack on three more in the top of the second off of a deep home run to left field. That would prove to be the game-winning hit in the game.
• Another run in the fourth inning would give the Wolverines a 6-0 lead off of a single through the left side of the infield.
• The nail in the coffin for the Crusaders would come in the top of the eighth as UM-Dearborn would get a two-run double and use a fielder's choice to add three more runs.
• The Crusaders would then attempt to overcome the impossible comeback being down nine runs with six outs remaining. Adrian Reed would continue his stellar day as he would hit a big triple with one out. He would come home on a Ferguson single to left field. The Crusaders would leave two on base.
• In the bottom of the ninth the Crusaders bats seemed to come alive as Nick Sykes would start the inning with a double and Cal Fournier would add a single. Reed, already with one triple on the day, added his second in as many innings and brought in two runs. And Beadle would follow that up with a double of his own for the third Crusader run of the inning. The luck ended there though as the Crusaders Alex Nicholson would ground out to end the game.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• The Crusaders left nine runners on base throughout the day, including four in the last three innings.
• The Blue and Gold bats like the extra-base hits again this game as they would collect five.
• Five Madonna pitchers would combine for 10 strikeouts, as Kevin Smith Jr. led the staff with four.

TOP PERFORMERS

• Reed would end the day going 7-10 throughout the two games, including two doubles and two triples.
• Smith Jr. would throw two innings form the bullpen and give up two hits while striking out four.

PITCHING DECISION

• Win: Davis (1-0)
• Loss: Dusang (0-1)

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders will next travel to Lake Trust Stadium in Howell, Mich. for a makeup double header against Cleary University on Thursday April 22 with first pitch at 1 PM.

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