MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Coming off their second no-hitter in three days at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, the Crusaders resumed play in their spring break tournament today with another double header. The Crusaders would split the day, losing the first game to the Chowan University Hawks 5-2, and later escaping Fairmont State University 9-6.

GAME 1:

The Crusaders were able to get on the board in the top of the first to put some early pressure on the Hawks. Alissa Gauthier stepped up to the plate for the Crusaders' first at bat. She drove the ball straight down the third base line as she sprinted through first base. As Autumn Reed stepped up to the plate next, Gauthier would steal her way to second. The gutsy play by Gauthier led to an error by an antsy Hawks' shortstop that allowed Gauthier to make it all the way to third. Kiana Morgan would ground out on her first at bat of the day, but not before bringing Gauthier home for the score as Madonna went up 1-0.

The Hawks would catch up and overtake the Crusaders in the bottom of the third, going up 2-1. But the Crusaders would battle back, beginning with a huge triple from Emily Theisen in the top of the fifth. A double hit to left field by Emma Mossing gave Theisen the chance to book it home and tie the game for the Crusaders at 2-2. Just as they regained ground, the Hawks went on a run in the bottom of the same inning, adding on three runs to their score. Despite their best efforts, the Crusaders were unable to catch the Hawks in the final innings, losing 5-2.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Bailey Martin led the team with nine put outs and went 2-of-3 batting.
• Jane Anderson threw seven strikeouts in her four innings pitched.

GAME 2:

Coming off their first loss of their spring break tournament, the Crusaders faced the NCAA Division II Fairmont State University Falcons. Gauthier would lead off for the Crusaders, blasting a line drive to center field for a double. Following her up, Reed would drive her pitch down the first base line for a single as Gauthier booked it home for the game's first run. Soon after, Gabby Toth hit Reed home with a single of her own; the Crusaders took an early 2-0 lead.

In the top of the second, Kelsi Littleton would hit it deep to right field as she made it all the way to third. A single by Mackenzie Ming brought Littleton home for a Crusader score. Later in the inning, an error by the Falcons' third basemen greenlit Jenna Herbon to sprint home as Madonna jumped ahead to a 4-0 lead. 

To open the third inning, Toth stepped up to the plate and rattled off a single to left field. Seeing an opportunity as Jessica Dunkel stepped into the batter's box, Toth stole her way to second, and quickly advanced to third off of an error by the Falcon's catcher. Finally getting her pitch, Dunkel drove it to left field to give Toth the chance to make it home. 

Madonna's shutout of the Falcons would come to an end in the bottom of the fourth as they got their first run. The Crusaders didn't seem phased in the slightest, as they began to run up the score in the top of the fifth. After Toth stepped back up to the plate, she knocked one deep to left field for a triple that batted in Jenna Gilbert. Dunkel brought Toth home once again with the Crusaders' next at bat. After stealing her way to second base, Dunkel would make it home thanks to Littleton's second triple of the afternoon. However, their run was quickly matched by the Falcons, who scored five runs in the bottom of the inning to make it a 8-6 game as Madonna held on to the lead by a thread.

Needing to give the Crusaders some buffer room with two innings to go, Gauthier once again used her athleticism to steal her way to second. A single from Reed got her to third, and Gauthier did the rest, booking it home on the next pitch, narrowly escaping on a fielder's choice. As the Falcons stepped up to bat in the final inning with three runs to make up, the Crusaders stepped up to the challenge. Dunkel would make the game-winning out as the Crusaders shut down the Falcons with a 9-6 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Toth went 3-of-4 at the plate, scoring two runs and recording two RBIs.
• Dunkel scored one run and recorded two RBIs.
• Littleton led the team with 10 put outs, in addition to scoring one run and one RBI.
• Gauthier scored two runs and stole two bases.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will gear up for their final day of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic on Thursday, March 9th at 9:00 am where they will open the day against Fitchburg State College.