MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - As the Crusaders remain undefeated in South Carolina so far, they geared up for another double header today, first facing the Tigers of Iowa Wesleyan University and later taking on the Malone University (Oh.) Pioneers. After making quick work of the Tigers winning 7-3, Crusader pitcher Maeson Schlaud threw a no-hitter, the second in three days for the Crusaders, as they went on to win 9-0.

GAME 1:

Madonna opened the game at the plate in the top of the first, eager to put the pressure on the Tigers early. Kiana Morgan stepped to the plate, driving a hit straight down the middle of the infield for a single that brought Alissa Gauthier home for the first run of the day. With the next at bat, Jenna Gilbert singled through the left side to bring Autumn Reed home as the Crusaders made it a 2-0 game. 

The next time she would step to the plate, coming in the top of the third, Gilbert would rattle off a double to center field that brought Reed home for her second run of the day. Soon after, Gabby Toth drove her pitch to right field for a single that allowed Morgan to get home as the Crusaders jumped ahead 4-0. Reed would reach home again in the top of the fourth to secure her third run of the day off of another hit by Gilbert. On the very next pitch, Bailey Martin would rip one to left field, bringing Jenalee Herbon in for the score, now up 6-0. 

The Crusaders' big hitter, Emily Theisen, would finally get her pitch in the top of the fifth, blasting it deep over the center field wall for a Madonna home run. The Tigers would battle back in the bottom of the inning though, rattling off three runs to try and catch up to the Crusaders. It wouldn't be enough though, as the Crusaders would go on to win 7-3.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Reed went 3-of-4 and led the team in runs scored with three.
• Theisen was 3-of-3 batting with one home run.
• Gilbert led the team with three RBIs.
• Laci Harris threw seven strikeouts and allowed just three hits in her four innings pitched.

GAME 2:

Opening up the second game, Maeson Schlaud took over on the mound for the Crusaders as they faced the NCAA Division II Malone University (Oh.) Pioneers. In the top of the first, Schlaud began the game with two strikeouts, closing out the Pioneers in just three at bats as the Crusaders took over. She tacked on two more strikeouts in the second as the Pioneers were left without a hit after two innings. 

As the Crusaders took over in the bottom of the second, Martin singled to left field which brought Gilbert home for the Crusaders' first run of the game. Theisen would rattle off a double to center field on her first at bat of the game that brought pinch runner Lucy Bennin in for the score. Before the inning came to a close, Emily Biggott hit a single up the middle, giving Emma Mossing a chance to make it home and give the Crusaders a 3-0 lead. 

Schlaud added two more strikeouts in both the third and fourth innings as the Pioneers were still without a hit. The Crusaders would fly ahead in the bottom of the fourth as Gauthier blasted a huge home run over the center field fence, bringing Mossing home with her to inflate their lead to 6-0. 

In the final inning, Schlaud struck out three straight batters to complete first career no-hitter and the second Crusader no-hitter in three days. The Crusaders closed out the game with three more runs, the first from Jenna Gould off of a hit by Toth. The final scores would come from Mossing, as she drove a line drive to center field good enough for a double that brought Gilbert and Mackenzie Ming home and secured the 9-0 Crusader victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Schlaud threw a no-hitter which was nearly a perfect game, blemished only by one batter being walked. She recorded 11 strikeouts out of 16 batters faced.
• Mossing went 2-of-3 at the plate, scoring two runs and recording two RBIs.
• Gauthier also went 2-of-3 including her huge two-run home run.
• Gilbert also scored two runs for the Crusaders.
• Martin led the team in put outs with 11, in addition to recording one run and one RBI.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will resume play in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic on Wednesday, March 8th at 11:00 am where they will face Chowan University. 

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