HOWELL, Mich. - The (RV) Madonna Crusaders' Softball Team (23-9, 6-4) headed down the road to Howell, Michigan for a double-header against Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference opponent: the Cleary University Cougars (9-26, 3-11). With a 5-3 victory in game one, the Crusaders would go on to get the sweep over the Cougars with a 4-0 win in game two.

GAME 1:

The start of the game would prove to be a pitcher's duel, as the only hit of the first three innings by either team came from Crusader catcher Mackenzie Ming with a single in the top of the second. From the Crusaders' mound, ace Maeson Schlaud delivered four strikeouts in the first three innings of play.

The stalemate ended in the top of the fourth as Madonna sprung ahead. After being walked to lead off the inning, junior Bailey Martin was brought home with a double to left field by freshman Jessica Dunkel. Dunkel would advance on the throw, putting herself in scoring position as senior and team captain Jenna Gilbert stepped up to the plate. A single to centerfield by Gilbert would bring Dunkel in for the run, as the Crusaders took a 2-0 lead.

The Crusaders weren't finished yet. With the bases loaded and only one out in the same inning, freshman Kiana Morgan would ground out to second, but not before bringing first baseman Kelsi Littleton home for another Madonna run. After four, the Crusaders would lead 3-0.

Leading off the fifth inning, Alissa Gauthier reached first with a single to center field. After stealing second, Gauthier would round third and make it home off of a single from Martin with the next at bat. With a double by Dunkel next, Martin would reach third, ready to book it home for the score. Following Dunkel's hit, the Cougars would elect to make a switch at the mound before Jenna Gilbert stepped up to the plate. Despite flying out to right field, Gilbert would get her second RBI of the day as she brought Martin home.

With the final Crusader run coming from Martin in the fifth, the Crusaders would go on to win 5-3 in Game 1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Martin scored one run and one RBI.
• Dunkel went 2-of-4 with one run and one RBI.
• Gauthier scored one run and stole one base.
• Gilbert recorded two RBIs.
• Schalud threw nine strikeouts and allowed just two hits and no runs through six innings pitched.

GAME 2:

After starting all but the final inning of Game 1, Schlaud returned to the mound for the Crusaders to pitch game two. Despite having just pitched six innings, Schlaud threw a nearly perfect game, allowing just one hit all game.

The first hit of the day for the Crusaders came in the top of the first with a double to left field by Martin. Already in scoring position, Martin quickly made it home on the next at bat, as Gilbert rattled off a hit to the fence of left field for a double. Next up, Ming drove a hit to center field that was good enough for a single, as Gilbert used her speed to make it all the way home. The Crusaders took an early 2-0 lead after one.

With runners on second and third in the top of the second, junior Emily Biggott stepped up to the plate. With a hit deep into right field for a single, Biggott brought sophomore Emily Theisen in for the score, and advanced Gauthier to third. While Biggott would be caught stealing during the next at bat, her attempt to steal second distracted the Cougars enough to allow Gauthier an opportunity to book it home for the score. Madonna now led 4-0 after two innings.

Schlaud's stellar performance at the mound helped lead the Crusaders to a 4-0 victory in Game 2, throwing nine strikeouts and allowing just a hit.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Gilbert had one run and one RBI.
• Theisen, Gauthier, and Martin each had one run.
• Biggott and Ming each had one RBI.
• Schlaud pitched all seven innings and threw nine strikeouts, allowing just one hit.

UP NEXT:

Staying on the road, the Crusaders will head back home, where they host the University of Northwest Ohio Racers (24-15,10-4) in a double-header kicking off Wednesday, April 19th, at 2:30 pm.

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