LIVONIA, Mich. -- The Madonna University baseball team earned a four-game sweep over Cornerstone University this weekend. On Friday the Crusaders won via scores of 10-4 and 8-4, before coming back and winning 15-6 and 18-17 on Saturday. The final victory of the weekend was via the walkoff. 

Game 1:

After the visiting Golden Eagles scored two runs in the top of the first, the Crusaders answered in the bottom half of the inning with five runs, highlighted by a two-run home run by Bobby Cavin and an RBI double by Zachary Beadle. Cornerstone got a run back in the top of the second, but Madonna responded with three more runs in the bottom half, including a solo home run by Anthony Sharkas. 

The Golden Eagles tried to get back in the game, cutting the lead in half in the top of the fifth, but Madonna added two more runs in the bottom of the half of the fifth to put the game out of reach and earn the victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Riley Vermander pitched six strong innings and struck out five.
• Vermander was relieved by Danny Medlock in the seventh and final inning. 
• Sharkas was 3-of-4 with two RBIs to lead the Crusaders at the plate.

Game 2:

Madonna jumped on Cornerstone in the first two innings of game two, scoring seven runs. The biggest blows came from Cavin and Matt Staelgraeve. Up 2-0, Cavin sent a ball over the left field wall for a grand slam. On the very next pitch Staelgraeve hit a solo shot to right center field to extend the Crusader lead to 7-0 after two innings of play. 

Cornerstone didn't go away quietly, as they scored four runs, including three to make it a 7-4 ball game in the top of the fifth. Madonna was able to hold off the rally however and added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth thanks to an RBI single by Brady Krzciok. From there the Crusaders were able to hang on for the win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Dustin Cummins pitched five innings to earn his third victory of the year. 
• Brandon Rice was on the mound for the final four innings and earned his second save of the season. 
• Again Sharkas led the team with three hits. 

Game 3:

Between Saturday's games, the Crusaders honored its 10 seniors. In game one on Saturday the Crusaders came out hot. Madonna scored three runs in the bottom of the first after an RBI single by Jace Matkin and a two-run double by Krzciok. After the Golden Eagles got a run back in the top of the third, the Crusaders blew the game wide open in the fourth with seven runs, highlighted by a bases loaded clearing double by Nick Krol and a two-run double by Matkin. 

The next inning saw Madonna score three more times, before scoring twice more in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a home run by Staelgraeve and an RBI single by Alex Garbacik. Cornerstone tried to mount a massive comeback down 15-1, but it was too little too late as the Golden Eagles rally was stopped after five runs were scored. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Krzciok led Madonna at the plate, going 3-of-4 with four RBIs.
• Nate Blain earned his seventh win of the year after throwing six innings and striking out  seven. 

Game 4:

The final game between the two teams proved to be the wildest. Cornerstone scored the first two runs of the game in the top of the first, before Madonna came back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first. The next two innings saw the Crusaders score five more times and hit three home runs. Garbacik and Kyle Revere hit two-run shots, while Sharkas hit a solo home run. Madonna led 8-4 after three innings.

In the top of the fourth, Cornerstone finally got the offense they had been looking for all weekend, as they scored seven runs and took an 11-8 lead. Madonna didn't go away quietly, as Cavin hit a monster solo home run over the left field fence to keep the Crusaders in the game. The Golden Eagles continued to maintain their lead however and led 16-11 after the top of the seventh.

Down five runs, the Crusaders rallied in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 16. The Crusaders were able to load the bases and Matkin was hit by a pitch to drive in a run, while Krzciok hit an RBI groundout to scratch a run across. Mistakes by Cornerstone also allowed Madonna to score, as a wild pitch got Revere to come home. Trailing 16-14, Staelgraeve was able to put the ball in play and tie the game up as Matkin and Sharkas came across to score on the fielder's choice. 

Now a brand new ballgame, the Crusaders took the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Following a Nick Krol triple, Garbacik hit a ball to right field in foul territory. A crucial mistake by the Golden Eagle outfielder resulted in a sacrifice fly and allowed Krol to come across to score and give Madonna the 17-16 lead heading to the ninth inning.

The lead was short lived however as Cornerstone's first batter in the top of the ninth tied the game at 17-17 and sent the game to the bottom half of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, more mistakes by the Golden Eagles allowed the Crusaders to threaten again. After a Cavin single with one out, Steffan Dyl came in and pinch ran for Cavin. A crucial balk call put Dyl in scoring position at second with one out. After Staelgraeve was intentionally walked, the stage was set for Beadle; however, he was hit by the pitch and the bases were loaded. Cornerstone was able to stay alive and get the second out of the inning after Revere hit into a fielder's choice and Dyl was thrown out at home. However the next batter the Cornerstone pitcher threw a wild pitch and Staelgraeve came across to score and give the Crusaders the wild walk off victory.   

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• On the mound Jacob Cox earned his first win after pitching two innings of relief and striking out two batters.
• Cavin was 4-of-5 with three RBIs, while Garbacik was 2-of-3 with three RBIs. 
• Madonna is currently second in the WHAC standings and a half game ahead of third place Northwestern Ohio. 

UP NEXT:

Madonna hosts Michigan-Dearborn in a single nine inning contest at 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 26th.