LIVONIA, Mich. - The Madonna University softball team, which received votes in the latest NAIA Coaches Poll, pushed its win streak to 11 straight with a sweep of Lourdes University (Ohio) at Gray Wolf Field on Tuesday afternoon, 7-1 and 5-1.

The streak is the longest since the team won 14 straight in 2016 and gave MU eight straight victories over the Gray Wolves. The Crusaders improve to 23-5 on the season and 12-2 in Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play while Lourdes falls to 6-29 overall and 3-13 in league play. 

GAME 1: #RV Madonna 7, Lourdes 1
For the second straight start senior Madisen Henry allowed an early run before settling in to earn the win. She scattered six hits over six innings and allowed a run on one walk and three strikeouts to move to 8-1. 

The offense did their part with nine hits in the contest and it started with leadoff hitter Veronica Pezzoni who got the game started with a triple to right center and scored on a two-out groundout by Kattie Popko. Lourdes got a run in the bottom half and had runners on in every inning but the sixth, however, Henry and the MU defense shut them out the rest of the way.

The rest of the scoring came in the second as MU sent 10 batters to the plate and scored five runs on four hits. Emily Pawelski got the inning started with a leadoff home run to left field, Amy Clegg brought in a run, and with two outs Brooklyn Dolloff doubled in a pair and scored on a Brooke Garbarino single for the 6-1 margin.

TOP 2 | MU 2, Lourdes 1

After the Gray Wolves got one in the first, @emipawelski99 puts MU back in front with a shot to left.#CrusaderNation pic.twitter.com/emU9ULXvt5

— Madonna Softball (@MUCrusadersSB) April 27, 2021

• TOP PERFORMERS
  • Pawelski: 3-for-4, HR
  • Dolloff: 1-for-4, 1 run, 2 RBI
  • Popko: 1-for-2, 1 run, 1 RBI, 2 BB
  • Pezzoni: 1-for-2, 2 runs, 2 BB
• PITCHING DECISION
  • Win: Henry (8-1)
  • Loss: Applegate (1-8)

GAME 2: #RV Madonna 5, Lourdes 1
Freshman Maeson Schlaud was the story of game two as she allowed one run on seven hits with one walk and nine strikeouts over seven innings. The offense started slow, with one run through six innings coming in the third on a Sarah Holton single. 

Then in the sixth, Popko sent a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall for a two-out, two-run home run for the 3-0 lead and it proved to be the game-winner after Lourdes added a run in the sixth. Schlaud did her part as she stranded a runner at third with one out with a pair of strikeouts. 
 

And here's a look at @Kattie_Popko go ahead 2-run blast. 💪💪#CrusaderNation pic.twitter.com/3buAgKUp4b

— Madonna Softball (@MUCrusadersSB) April 28, 2021

The offense added some insurance runs in the seventh as Makayla Bassage and Clegg delivered back-to-back RBI base hits with two outs for the 5-1 win. 

Things got interesting in the bottom of the seventh, however, as a pair of singles gave the Gray Wolves hope, but Popko threw a strike to home to cut down a would-be run to end the game. 
 

👀Check out this throw from @Kattie_Popko to end the game.@ESPNAssignDesk @notthefakeSVP #SCTop10 #CrusaderNation pic.twitter.com/v0gDFIlPKU

— Madonna Softball (@MUCrusadersSB) April 28, 2021

• TOP PERFORMERS
  • Popko: 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, HR, BB
  • Bassage: 3-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
  • Holton: 2-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, SB
• PITCHING DECISION
  • Win: Schlaud (4-2)
  • Loss: Riley (1-3)

UP NEXT
The Blue and Gold continue a run of six games in three days as they host Lawrence Technological University at University Field on Wednesday, April 28. First pitch of the WHAC doubleheader is slated for 3 p.m. Live video and stats will be available at mucrusaders.com/coverage with tickets available for MU fans only at mucrusaders.com/tickets. 

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