LIVONIA, Mich. - The Madonna University softball team saw its 11-game win streak come to an end, but key hits and stellar pitching by Maeson Schalud helped the Crusaders earn a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference split with Lawrence Technological University at University Field on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Blue and Gold were shutout first just the second time this season in game one, 4-0, but bounced back with a 9-3 victory in game two. Madonna improves to 24-6 on the season and 13-3 in WHAC play while LTU slips to 14-18 overall and 6-12 in league play. 

GAME 1: #RV Madonna 0, Lawrence Tech 4
The Crusaders hit into some tough luck in the opener and left the bases loaded in the third. In the fifth, the Blue Devils got the key hit MU was lacking as they scored three runs on three hits and an error to take a 3-0 lead. 

Lawrence Tech added another run in the seventh for the final margin. Jenna Gilbert tried to spark a rally with a single in the seventh, but the offense never strung enough hits together to make a real threat. 

• TOP PERFORMERS
  • Pezzoni, Holton, Gilbert, Clegg: Each recorded the only hits in the game for MU.
• PITCHING DECISION
  • Win: Brandt (3-2)
  • Loss: Henry (8-2) - 7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 7 K

GAME 2: #RV Madonna 9, Lawrence Tech 3
Miscommunication on bunt coverages in the first led to a pair of LTU runs, but Madonna cut into the lead in their half of the inning as Sarah Holton walked, Kattie Popko doubled and Emily Pawelski drove in a run with a groundout. 

The Blue Devils added another on a sacrifice fly double play in the second and the Crusaders stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the frame. The offense came through to tie the game in the third as Gilbert singled in a run and Alyssa Fessenden beat out a double play to score Jamie Gietl and tie the game. 

Ciera Jones allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits over three innings and was relieved by Maeson Schlaud who earned the win with four shutout innings with two hits and four strikeouts. 

With Schlaud mowing down the Blue Devils, the MU offense broke things open in the fourth as Veronica Pezzoni singled on a bunt and scored on a Popko triple. Pawelski walked and Brooklyn Dolloff delivered the big hit, a 3-run home run to left center field for the 7-3 lead. 

Kelsie Littleton and Amy Clegg each singled in a run in the sixth for the final margin. 

• TOP PERFORMERS
  • Popko: 3-for-4, 2 run, 1 RBI; HR shy of the cycle
  • Bailey Martin-Brown: 2-for-3
  • Dolloff: 3-run home run
• PITCHING DECISION
  • Win: Schlaud (5-2)
  • Loss: Benz (4-6)

UP NEXT
The Crusaders complete a run of six games in three days when they return to the field on Thursday, April 29 at Siena Heights University. First pitch in the WHAC doubleheader at Christensen Memorial Field in Adrian is set for 3:30 p.m. Live coverage is available at mucrusaders.com/coverage. 

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