COLUMBIA, Ky. - The Madonna University softball team had their best offensive day of the tournament, but a pair of late miscues led to a 5-4 loss in eight innings in the first NAIA National Championship Opening Round Championship game at Marilyn D. Sparks Park on Wednesday afternoon. 

For the second time in as many days the Crusaders' opponent scored in the first inning as the Cougars used a walk and a pair of hits to take the 1-0 lead. It didn't last long though as Emily Pawelski led off the second with a drive over the left field wall on a 1-2 pitch for Madonna's third home run of the opening round. 

After Maeson Schlaud struck out the side in the bottom of the second, the Crusaders went to work with two outs in the third. Veronica Pezzoni singled on a perfect bunt, Sarah Holton doubled her home and Kattie Popko homered for the second time in as many games with a two-run shot just inside the foul pole for the 4-1 lead. 



Both teams were silent until the sixth as Saint Xavier scored a pair of runs on one hit and a pair of miscues by the Crusaders to tie the game at 4. The MU offense couldn't get going in extra frames and the Cougars used a pair of hits with two outs to walk-off in game one.

Saint Xavier's win forces and if necessary championship game with the winner punching their ticket to the NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Georgia May 21 - June 2. 

The final game will begin at 3:40 p.m. Live links for the games are available at mucrusaders.com/coverage. 

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