HOWELL, Mich. - For the seventh time this season, but first in back-to-back games, the Madonna University softball team shutout its opponent with a pair of Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference victories over Cleary University (Mich.) at Lake Trust Stadium on Sunday.

The Crusaders, who took game one 1-0 and game two 2-0, finished the regular season 26-6 overall and 15-3 in the WHAC, the best winning percentage in the league. The Cougars fall to 13-25 on the year and 8-12 in league play. 

GAME 1: #RV Madonna 1, Cleary 0
The Madonna offense struck in the first inning as Veronica Pezzoni, Brooklyn Dolloff, and Kattie Popko opened the game with three consecutive base hits, the latter scoring Pezzoni for the 1-0 lead.

Here's the GW RBI from @Kattie_Popko to take game one vs Cleary.#CrusaderNation pic.twitter.com/cM7bvTu5sK

— Madonna Softball (@MUCrusadersSB) May 2, 2021

That's all the offense senior Madisen Henry needed as she earned her ninth win and dropped her ERA below 2 with seven shutout innings. She scattered six hits, walked two, and struck out eight in the win. 

Both teams had plenty of chances to score as they combined to leave 17 runners on base. The best chance for the Cougars game in the third as the home team loaded the bases with two outs, but Henry induced a groundout to keep them off the board. 
 

• TOP PERFORMERS
  • Popko: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI single
  • Pezzoni: 1-for-4, run scored, SB
  • Sarah Holton: 1-for-3, 2B
  • Amy Clegg: 1-for-3, 2B
• PITCHING DECISION
  • Win: Henry (9-2)
  • Loss: Finazzo (6-5)

GAME 2: #RV Madonna 2, Cleary 0
After the Crusaders missed an opportunity to score in the first, they came through in the third as Pezzoni singled, stole second and scored on a Cougars miscue off the bat of Holton. Jenna Gilbert added to the lead two batters later with a single to center. 

Here's a look at the runs in game two.@sarah_holton scores @Pezzoni_v & @Benna2000 adds on.#CrusaderNation pic.twitter.com/hWTo7ioTZB

— Madonna Softball (@MUCrusadersSB) May 2, 2021

That's all freshman Maeson Schlaud needed as she took a no-hitter into the fifth and only allowed three baserunners the entire game. She went all seven innings and struck out nine with no walks. She lowered season ERA to .51 and improved her record to 6-2. 

Check out these 9️⃣ Ks from @Maesonschlaud35 during her 2️⃣-hit shutout. 👀🔥🔥🔥#CrusaderNation pic.twitter.com/ObGtuL0vJ9

— Madonna Softball (@MUCrusadersSB) May 2, 2021

• TOP PERFORMERS
  • Popko: 2-for-4, 2B
  • Pezzoni: 1-for-4, run, SB
  • Holton: 1-for-2, BB, run 
  • Gilbert: 1-for-3, RBI, BB
• PITCHING DECISION
  • Win: Schlaud (6-2)
  • Loss: O'Reilly (0-7)

UP NEXT
The Blue and Gold, winners of 14-of-15 games to end the season, will head to Sylvania, Ohio for the WHAC tournament held at Pacesetter Park. The first and second rounds of the double-elimination tournament will be held at 4 and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5. Tournament pairings and seedings were not yet available at the time of this writing. 

Live coverage of the Crusaders' tournament games will be available via the Madonna Athletics Network at mucrusaders.com/coverage. 

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