Nicholson batting against Indiana Tech
7
Michigan-Dearborn MICHIGAN 12-13
8
Winner Madonna MADONNA 19-13
Michigan-Dearborn MICHIGAN
12-13
7
Final
8
Madonna MADONNA
19-13
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E
Michigan-Dearborn MICHIGAN 0 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 13 3
Madonna MADONNA 0 0 3 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 8 12 0

W: Dusang, Ryan (2-2) L: N. Mack (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Andrew Ripke

Crusaders advance to WHAC Championship, will face UNOH

THE BASICS
Score: Game 1: Madonna University 8, University of Michigan - Dearborn 7, 11 Innings
Records: Madonna (18-13), Michigan - Dearborn (12-13)
Location: Warrior Baseball Field - Fort Wayne, Ind.

FORT WAYNE, Ind.- The Madonna University Crusaders baseball team was back in action on Saturday just over 13 hours after their win against Indiana Tech late Friday night. The Crusaders faced off against the University of Michigan - Dearborn with a chance to advance to the Wolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship series next week.

GAME 1
TURNING POINT
  • The eleventh inning saw the Crusaders able to pull off the walk-off when Alex Nicholson hit a ball to left field and ended up scoring Kyle Aniol.

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • The Wolverines were able to strike first as they put a five spot up in the second inning. Four runs came from extra base hits, including a home run and a double and the fifth came on a fielder's choice. 
  • In the third, the Crusaders were able grab three back scoring twice off of pass balls and then on a sacrifice fly from Noah Moore. 
  • The Wolverines were able to get two runs with a swing of a bat on a home run to left field to extend the lead back to four.
  • Madonna would score the next four runs throughout the fifth and sixth inning. In the fifth Jace Matin hit a double down the left field line and brought in Aniol and then Noah Moore hit into a fielder's choice to score Nick Krol. In the sixth, Nick Sykes brought in a run from a fielder's choice and then Aniol singled to bring home Steffen Dyl.
  • From the sixth inning to the eleventh inning neither team was able to bring a run across the plate. In the top half of the inning, Michigan - Dearborn threatened with bases loaded and no outs, in response the Crusaders turned Ryan Dusang out of the bullpen and was able to strikeout the next two batters. The third out of the inning came from a huge diving grab from Aniol in left to hold the Wolverines at seven. 
  • In the bottom half of the 11th, Aniol and Beadle both walked to start the inning, followed by two outs the Crusaders Nicholson came up to the plate and was able to grab his first hit of the day to end the game with a single to left field, bringing in Aniol. 
NUMBERS TO KNOW
  • The Crusaders hit seven doubles in the game, with Matkin and Ferguson each with two. 
  • Madonna pitchers struck out nine batters throughout the game while being led by Danny Bullard with five. 
TOP PERFORMERS
  • Bullard pitched seven solid innings out of the bullpen, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out five. 
  • Aniol went 4-5 from the plate driving in one run and scoring three runs himself, including the game-winning run. 
PITCHING DECISION
  • Win: Dusang (2-2)
  • Loss: Mack (0-1)
UP NEXT
  • With the win the Crusaders will advance to the WHAC Championship to face off against the University of Northwestern Ohio who upset Concordia University Ann Arbor 7-4 earlier today. The Championship series will begin on Monday May 10 and will feature a best-of-3 scenario, and will have the second game on Tuesday and the third game if necessary following the second game. 
  • Check in with crusaders.com for the latest and most up to date information on game times and spectator policies for the series. 
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