THE BASICS
Score: Game 1: Madonna University 14, Siena Heights University 0, 7 Innings
Game 2: Madonna 13, Siena Heights 1, 7 Innings
Records: Madonna (14-9, 10-4), Siena Heights (7-22, 3-7)
Location: Siena Heights Baseball Diamond - Adrian, Mich.

ADRIAN, Mich.- The Madonna University baseball team traveled for their final doubleheader of the regular season as they traveled to Adrian for a matchup against the Saints of Siena Heights University. 

The Crusaders were able to pull off their third straight run-rule game with two in seven innings. Madonna pitching only allowed one run on seven hits throughout the two games today.

GAME 1
TURNING POINT

• Right from the first pitch the Crusaders were on the Saints pitchers as the first five batters were able to get on base.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Crusaders got things started right away in the game scoring three runs in the first through the first four batters of the game as Kyle Aniol, Adrian Reed and Steffen Dyl all came across the plate to score. 
• The next time Madonna was able to get runs across the plate was in the fourth and fifth inning as they put two across in each. Zachary Beadle and Jace Matkin added the scoring in the fifth with a single and triple respectively as they both brought in their second runs of the game. Joey Pejuan sent two runs across the plate in the fifth with a single through the left side of the infield.
• The final inning of the game came in the seventh inning as the Crusaders, who were up 7-0 put up another seven runs. Five of the first six batters of the inning were able to come across the plate. The Crusaders brought the power in the inning as they were able to get three extra-base hits of two doubles and a triple in the inning from Alex Garbacik and Matkin two to bring across three runs. The additional four runs came off the bats of Alex Nicholson, Reed and Beadle who contributed with two singles and a sacrifice fly.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• Nine Crusader hitters tallied a base hit in the game as they were led by Matkin with three.
• Madonna was able to get seven extra-base hits which included two triples and five doubles. 
• Between the two Blue and Gold pitchers they held the Saints bats to three hits in the game. 

TOP PERFORMERS

• Nate Blain went six innings for the Crusaders as he gave up only three hits while striking out six. 
• Matkin went 3-4 with a double and a triple while hitting three runs across the plate and scoring one himself.
• Beadle added two hits in four at bats with a double and two runs batted in.

PITCHING DECISION

• Win: Blain (4-0)
• Loss: Love (1-1)

GAME 2
TURNING POINT

• The Crusaders struck first in the second inning and from there were able to cruise to the 13-1 win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the top of the second inning Nick Sykes came up to the plate with Matkin on second and was able to bring him in for the first run of the game. 
• Both teams' bats were quiet until the fourth inning as the Crusaders had an awakening and were able to plate six in the inning. Three Madonna runs were sandwiched in between two home runs in the inning from Garbacik and Matkin. The other runs in the inning came from singles from Aniol and Reed and a run off of a wild pitch from Aniol.
• The fifth saw the third Crusader home run, as this time it was Sykes hitting a two run shot that plated Garbacik.
• The Saints were finally able to get their first run of the day in the sixth off of a single with the bases loaded. 
• The Blue and Gold would strike gold twice in the seventh and further add to the lead with back-to-back home runs off the bats of Garbacik and Nicholson. The final Crusader run of the game came from Nick Sykes being able to score from a wild pitch.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• Five would be the number of home runs the Crusaders would tally throughout the second game with two coming off the bat of Garbacik.
• Six different Madonna hitters would get into the hit column and were led by Sykes with four.

TOP PERFORMERS

• Sykes had a perfect game from the plate going 4-4 with a double and a home run while plating three runs and scoring three himself.
• Garbacik had a career day with two home runs while going 3-4 with three RBIs and three runs
• Ryan Dusang went six innings in the game while allowing one run on four hits while striking out six.
• John Beuckleare had a solid seventh inning facing four batters and striking out three of them.

PITCHING DECISION

• Win: Dusang (1-0)
• Loss: Cousino (1-3)

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders return home to face off against the Cardinals of Concordia University Ann Arbor, on Saturday May 1, as they will honor their seniors that will be graduating this season with the first pitch at 1 PM. 

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