FAYETTE, Mo. -- The Madonna University baseball team opened up NAIA Postseason play with a 9-6 victory over the University of St. Francis (Ill.) on Monday morning from the campus of Central Methodist University. Following the win, the Crusaders were scheduled to play top-ranked Southeastern University (Fla.) later tonight, however, due to weather in the area the rest of the day's games were postponed.


HOW IT HAPPENED:


After a scoreless top of the first inning, the Crusaders jumped on the Saints with a two-run home run to left field by Brady Krzciok. Madonna extended their lead to 6-0 with four runs in the bottom of the third thanks to RBI singles by Matt Staelgraeve and Jace Matkin and an RBI double by Zachary Beadle. Nick Krol also recorded an RBI in the inning after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Staelgraeve to score. 


Madonna scored another run in the seventh to make the score 7-0 after a wild pitch. The Saints got two runs back in the top of the eighth, however in the bottom half Matkin seemed to put the game out of reach with a two-run bomb the other way. Trailing 9-2 in the top of the ninth, USF tried to mount a comeback with four runs, but couldn't dig themselves out of the hole as the Crusaders secured the victory.


INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Riley Vermander (6-3) picked up the win on the mound after throwing seven shutout innings and striking out six.
• Brandon Rice and Sam Assaf each pitched an inning of relief. 
• Matkin finished with three RBIs. 
• Madonna outhit USF 13-12.

UP NEXT:


Madonna will take on No. 1 Southeastern (Fla.) at 3:30 PM EST/2:30 PM CST Tuesday afternoon following the game between Kansas Wesleyan University and host Central Methodist. 


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