LIVONIA, Mich. - On a sunny Thursday afternoon, the (RV) Madonna Crusaders Softball Team (19-5, 2-0) took the field for their home opener against conference rival Lawrence Tech University (11-8, 2-0). To open up the series, Crusader pitcher Maeson Schlaud threw a no-hitter to shut out the Blue Devils 3-0. Not only that, but the no-hitter was Schlaud's third of the season, including one perfect game against Cornerstone in their first game of Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) play. The Crusaders went on to get the sweep and remain undefeated in conference play as they closed out the Blue Devils 8-1 in Game 2.

GAME 1:

Madonna brought out their ace, senior Maeson Schlaud, to kick off the top of the first inning. Schlaud opened the game with back-to-back strikeouts swinging, getting both to bite on her signature rise ball. She'd continue toying with the Blue Devils through the second inning, this time throwing three straight strikeouts to take the field back. Despite Schlaud shutting the Blue Devils down, the Crusaders were unable to get on the scoreboard either. Going into the bottom of the third, the score was 0-0, and Schlaud had already thrown 6 strikeouts.

After Emma Mossing got on base as she led off the bottom of the third for Madonna, she was relieved by pitcher Jenna Gould who came in to pinch run. Gould quickly stole second as a ball thrown by the Blue Devils' pitcher bounced off the dirt. Junior Emily Biggott would ground out, but get Gould to third. Back at the top of the lineup, their sophomore lead-off Alissa Gauthier stepped up to bring Gould home for the first run of the day. On a fielder's choice, the Blue Devils' hesitation would allow for both Gould to make it home and Gauthier to reach first. Gauthier used her athleticism to strike when opportunity presents itself, narrowly stealing second before the pitcher could pick her off. 

After getting to first on the next at-bat, Hope College transfer Lucy Bennin was called in as a courtesy runner for the catcher, junior Bailey Martin. Benin also took advantage of her wheels, stealing second with Gauthier now on third. The Blue Devils intentionally walked Schoolcraft College transfer Autumn Reed to load up the bases just in time for big-hitting freshman Jessica Dunkel to step up to the plate. With a rocket that dropped deep into right field, Dunkel reached first as both Gauthier and Bennin raced home for a two-run score.

An error by the Crusaders' first baseman in the top of the fifth would be the only blemish on Schlaud's otherwise perfect game. She went on to throw three more strikeouts and not allow a hit as the Crusaders went on to win 3-0 in the first game of the double-header. Schlaud continues to make her case for the All-WHAC and All-American teams with the third no-hitter of her senior campaign.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Schlaud threw nine strikeouts and had one putout on her way to another no-hitter.
• Gauthier scored one run, had one RBI, and stole one base.
• Dunkel led the team with two RBIs.
• Both pinch runners, Bennin and Gould, scored runs for the Crusaders.

GAME 2:

Leading off for the Crusaders in the bottom of the first, Gauthier made it to first off of a hit that skipped just past the Blue Devils' shortstop. Gauthier once again put her speed on display as she stole second, and then advanced to third on a passed ball during the same play. Turning a single into a triple, she was in perfect position for Martin, their second batter, to bring her home. Martin drove her pitch deep, nearly hitting off the fence of centerfield for a double that brought Gauthier in for the score.

Despite normally getting a courtesy pinch runner as their catcher, the Crusaders elected to leave Martin on base. A ground out by Reed allowed Martin to reach third, and Dunkel would finish the job with a single to bring her home. The Crusaders got off to a much hotter start this game, up 2-0 after one. 

After sophomore Emily Theisen walked and junior Kelsi Littleton rattled off a single to start the inning, the Blue Devils would switch out their pitcher with a runner on first and second. Stepping back up to the plate, Martin ripped off a two-run double deep to center field again, bringing both Theisen and Littleton home. Madonna now held a 4-1 lead after two innings.

After two explosive opening innings, both teams seemed to hit a lull until the bottom of the fifth, with only four total hits from the end of the second until then. On her third at bat of the game, Gauthier reached first once again on a walk, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With a single to left field, Martin hit her home for Gauthier's second run and Martin's fourth RBI of the game. 

This time, Gould came in to run for Martin. Gould went on to score off of an error by the left fielder that also allowed Jenna Gilbert to reach first. After stealing second, Gilbert reached third off of a single by Dunkel. Using her quickness, Dunkel stole second, but this caused the Blue Devils to panic as they tried to pick her off. Gilbert took advantage of the confusion and was able to steal home for the Crusaders score. Dunkel ended up making it all the way to third on the play. Dunkel would reach home herself on a ground out for the Crusaders' final run of the game. The Crusaders would hold the Blue Devils without a run for the remainder of the game, closing them out 8-1 and completing the sweep of their crosstown rival.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Martin was 3-of-3 with four RBIs and scored one run.
• Dunkel went 2-of-3 with one run and one RBI.
• Gauthier scored two runs and stole one base.
• Gilbert also scored one run, stole two bases, and had one RBI.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will stay home to face (RV) Indiana Tech in a double-header as they hope to remain undefeated in WHAC play. Game one of the series is set to kick off at 1:00 pm on Sunday, April 2nd. 

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