THE BASICS
Score: Game 1: Madonna University 10, Concordia University Ann Arbor 9
Game 2: Madonna 15, Concordia 12
Records: Madonna (16-11, 12-6), Concordia (35-15, 15-5)
Location: Ilitch Ballpark - Livonia, Mich.

LIVONIA, Mich.- The Madonna University Crusaders played their second to last game at home of the 2021 season as they celebrated the 12 seniors that will be graduating in just a few weeks, as they went up against the Cardinals of Concordia University Ann Arbor on Saturday afternoon.

The Crusaders would use eight home runs throughout the two games in order to earn the sweep in two close wins against the Cardinals.

GAME 1
TURNING POINT

• A five-run eighth inning for the Crusaders as Noah Moore tallied his second home run of the game, Ryan Celmer added a three-run home run and Adrian Reed tallied the game-winning single to score Cal Fournier. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Cardinals struck first right away as Concordia doubled to bring in a run.
• Madonna would not trail long as Noah Moore would hit his first home run of the day as he brought in three runs with that one swing. 
• In the second, Reed would continue his hot streak as singled through the right side and scored Celmer on the hit. Right away in the third Jace Matkin would welcome the Cardinal pitcher into the game with a first pitch home run over the scoreboard in left center field for the 4-1 lead.  
• Concordia would mount their own comeback starting in the fifth inning as they would score twice from a double and a single. In the sixth the Cardinals would hit their first home run of the game with a three-run shot from Steinborn to take the 7-5 lead. In the seventh a two-run homer from Concordia added to the lead to make it 9-5 in through seven. 
• Eight of the first nine batters in the eighth for the Crusaders would reach base as Moore added his second home run of the game. Gordon Ferguson added a double and Alex Garbacik walked and Ryan Celmer came up to the plate and hit a big game-tying home run to center field. Nick Sykes and Kyle Aniol would gain back-to-back walks and Reed hit the game-winning RBI up the middle.
• John Beuckelaere came in for the ninth and earned his fifth save of the season as the game ended with a 1-6-3 double play.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• Donovan Thacker tallied eight strikeouts through his seven innings of play.
• The Crusaders tallied four home runs throughout the first game as Celmer, Moore and Matkin all tallied home runs throughout the game.  

TOP PERFORMERS

• Moore went 2-3 throughout the game as he was able to hit two balls out of the park, including a three-run home run in the first inning and a solo shot in the eighth that jump started the Crusaders comeback.
• Celmer hit .500 on the game hitting a game-tying three-run home run in the eighth inning.

PITCHING DECISION

• Win: Mencotti (3-1)
• Loss: Kleinfelter (7-1)
• Save: Beuckelaere (5)

GAME 2
TURNING POINT

• The Crusaders used a seven-run fourth inning that propelled them to the victory. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first two innings of the game would not see much action between the two teams as the Cardinals would get one on base and the Crusaders would get three on base. 
• The third inning saw the first action of the game for both teams as the two teams combined for 10 runs. The Cardinals took advantage of a couple singles, a ground out a wild pitch to go up 4-0 after the top half of the inning. 
• In the bottom half, the Crusaders were able to rally back a score six runs to take the lead. Reed started the inning with a solo shot to right field, Moore followed up with a two-run double to score Matkin and Zachary Beadle and then Celmer hit his second three-run homer of the day to give the Crusaders the lead. 
• The fourth inning would see nine runs cross the plate, as the Crusaders were able to score seven of the nine. Concordia would tie the game at six in the top half of the inning as they hit two straight singles.
• Madonna came back roaring in the bottom of the fourth as Matkin hit his second home run of the day bringing in three runs. Celmer would deliver once again in the game with a double to center field narrowly missing a home run. The Crusaders scored two more runs, scoring on an error and a single from Reed. 
• Scoring in their third straight inning, the Cardinals started to mount a comeback tacking on four runs in the inning. The first five batters came up and were able to score two runs. With the bases loaded the Crusaders were able to get an unorthodox 1-2-3 double play and prevented a run to score. Before the end of the inning though the Cardinals would add another two runs to make is 13-10.
• Starting off the bottom half of the inning Beadle came up to the plate and was able to knock a ball over the right center field fence to give the Crusaders a four-run lead. 
• The Cardinals though would not give up and attempt to once again mount a comeback scoring two more runs in the sixth inning. Off of a double to left center field that scored two runs but that would be it scoring for Concordia.
• In the bottom of the seventh inning Madonna would get an insurance run as Alex Garbacik by way of a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Matkin.
• Beuckelaere would come in once again in the top of the ninth and get a save in the second straight game. 

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• Seven different Crusaders combined for 13 hits throughout the second game as they were led by Reed with four.
• Madonna was able to use nine extra-base hits en route to the 15-12 win as Celmer and Reed both had two.

TOP PERFORMERS

• Reed went 4-6 in the game being a double shy of the cycle while adding 1 RBI and scoring two runs. 
• Celmer added two hits through the game with a home run and a double while driving in four runs and scoring twice. 
• Matkin tacked on a three-run home run, walking once and scoring three runs. 

PITCHING DECISION

• Win: Blain (5-0)
• Loss: Decker (3-2)
• Save: Beuckelaere (6)

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders will be back on the diamond tomorrow afternoon as they face off against the Warriors of Indiana Tech with the first pitch at 1 PM.

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