ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Madonna University baseball team was back in action for a big double header against Concordia University (Mich.) Cardinals who are receiving votes in the newest NAIA Top 25 Poll. The Crusaders were able to take game one 8-5 however, lost the second 11-8

GAME 1:

The Crusaders coming off two losses yesterday to Cleary University (Mich.) looking to bounce back. Madonna wasted no time in the top of the first as Alex Garbacik singled to left field. Then, Antthony Sharkas hit a moon shot for a 2-RBI home run to left field as the Crusaders took the early 2-0 lead. Madonna wasn't done there, they came back the next inning and tacked on two more runs thanks to RBIs from Garbacik and Jace Matkin. 

The Cardinals were able to cut the Madonna lead down to 4-1 in the bottom of the second. However, that three-run lead wouldn't last long as Sharkas and Matt Staelgraeve drove in a run each to take a 6-1 lead after four. In the top of the sixth, Matkin continued his hot streak with a solo home run to left-center field. 
The Cardinals didn't go away quietly, as with their backs against the wall in the bottom of the seventh, put up a four spot, however the Crusaders would pull through with a 8-5 victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Sharkas finished 2-for-3, three RBIs and a home run
• Matkin was 1-for-5 with two RBIs and a home run
• Garbacik finished 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI
• Nate Blain secured his sixth win of the year, pitching all seven inning, striking out eight and only four earned runs

Game 2:

In game two, the Crusaders picked up where they left off. In the top of the first, Matkin hits a three-run shot to left field to take an early 3-0 lead. Four batters later, freshman Brady Krzciok hits an RBI double to right-center to make it 4-0 after one. Sharkas adds one more run in the second to make it 5-0, however that's when the Cardinals' bats came alive as they hung a six spot on the Crusaders in the bottom of the second to make it a 6-5 ball game. Concordia would continue to pile it on Madonna as they scored a total of 10-unanswered runs making it 10-5 after seven innings of work. The Crusaders would get three runs back thanks to a three-run homer from Garbacik, however the Crusaders would fall in game two 11-8. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Garbacik would finish 3-for-5, a home run and three RBIs
• Matkin finished game two going 2-for-5, a homerun and three RBIs

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will continue their road trip as they travel to Rochester to take on the Warriors on Tuesday, April 11th, first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.

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