THE BASICS
Score: Game 1: Madonna University 8, Siena Heights University (Mich.) 5
Game 2: Madonna 3, Aquinas College (Mich.) 2
Game 3: Madonna University 2, University of Michigan-Dearborn 6
Game 4: Madonna 3, Aquinas College (Mich.) 5
Records: Madonna 31-7 (18-4), Siena Heights 21-20 (10-12), Michigan-Dearborn 30-11 (17-5), Aquinas 39-14 (14-8)
Location: Pacesetter Park, Sylvania, Ohio

SYLVANIA, Ohio -- The Madonna University softball team played in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) tournament from Wednesday to Monday, losing in the semifinal. In the double-elimination style tournament which had to be suspended and resumed Monday, the Crusaders won two games and lost two games. The tournament was eventually won by University of Michigan-Dearborn.
The Crusaders have already won the WHAC Regular Season title, which gives them an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.

GAME 1 - HOW IT HAPPENED
The Crusaders fell behind in game one, with the Saints taking a 2-0 lead into the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Crusaders took the lead, as they scored four in the inning. They got on the board when Emily Pawelski doubled to center field, scoring Jenna Gould and Sarah Holton. Amy Clegg batted next and also hit a double, scoring Pawelski. At the top of the order, Pezzoni singled up the middle, and Clegg would score on an errant throw from center field.
In the fifth inning, Bailey Martin doubled to score Kattie Popko, then Jenna Gilbert followed it up with her own double, scoring Martin. Next, Pawelski hit a long home run to left center, scoring Jamie Gietl, who pinch ran for Gilbert. This made the score 8-2. Siena Heights would get a few runs back, but were unable to catch up, and the Crusaders took the game, by a score of  8-5.
WHAC Pitcher of the Year Maeson Schlaud started the game in the circle for the Crusaders, going five innings to earn the win. She allowed two runs on four hits, and struck out eight. She was relieved by Elisabet McCann in the sixth, who went the rest of the way, allowing three runs, but none of them were earned.

GAME 2 - HOW IT HAPPENED
In a rematch with last weekend's series that clinched the WHAC regular season Championship for Madonna, the Crusaders fell down 1-0 to Aquinas in the top of the first. In the bottom half, Alissa Gauthier tied it up, scoring Pezzoni on an RBI groundout. 
The game stayed 1-1 until the top of the fourth, with Aquinas scoring one more to take the lead. They led until the Crusaders' last at bats in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded and two outs, Martin walked, which scored Pezzoni as the tying run. Next up was Gilbert, who walked it off for the Crusaders, singling to right to score Gauthier. 
Schlaud started once again for the Crusaders, this time throwing a complete game. In her seven innings, she allowed two runs, and struck out three hitters. 

GAME 3 - HOW IT HAPPENED
In a matchup between the top two regular season finishers in the WHAC, The Crusaders fell behind 3-0 in the first four and a half innings of game three, but showed fight in the bottom of the fourth. Bailey Martin-Brown got the Crusaders on the board, singling to drive in two runs, Alissa Gauthier and Kattie Popko. 
From there, however, it was all UM-Dearborn, who scored additional insurance runs to take the game, 6-2. This handed Madonna their first loss of the tournament.

GAME 4 - HOW IT HAPPENED
In a rematch with last weekend's series that clinched the WHAC regular season Championship for Madonna, the Crusaders fell down 2-0 to Aquinas in the top of the first. In the bottom half, the Crusaders came back to take the lead. Popko opened the scoring by singling to score Veronica Pezzoni. Gauthier then followed that up with a single of her own to score Chylece Cluck. Later in the inning, Gauthier scored to make it 3-2, when Martin reached on an error.
The game stayed 1-1 until the top of the fourth, with Aquinas scoring one more to take the lead. They led until the Crusaders' last at bats in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded and two outs, Martin walked, which scored Pezzoni as the tying run. Next up was Gilbert, who walked it off for the Crusaders, singling to right to score Gauthier. 
Aquinas took the lead in the top of the third, and the game was suspended due to inclement weather in the fourth inning. Resuming on Monday, the Saints added one insurance run and shut down the Crusaders to advance to the final. 

BY THE NUMBERS:
Martin: 5-11, 5 RBI
Gauthier: 4-10, 2 RBI, 3 R
Popko: 5-13, RBI, 2 R

UP NEXT:
The Crusaders now await their fate for their draw in the NAIA National Championship tournament. The selection show can be watched live on the NAIA Facebook page Tuesday at 5 PM. The Opening Rounds of the tournament will take place Monday, May 16 to Tuesday, May 18, and will be played at one of ten pre-determined sites across the country.


CONNECT WITH THE CRUSADERS: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
SUBSCRIBE/DOWNLOAD TEAM SCHEDULES: Download Center
DOWNLOAD THE NEW MOBILE APP: Google Play | iOS