FAYETTE, Mo. – The Madonna University baseball team saw its season come to an end on Wednesday afternoon after being defeated 5-3 by Central Methodist University in the NAIA Opening Round. The Crusaders finish 2023 with a 36-17 overall record and 24-6 record in WHAC play while also claiming the WHAC Tournament title. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The teams traded runs in the first inning. Madonna loaded the bases in the top of the first inning and Matt Staelgraeve came through with a two-run double to give the Crusaders a 2-0 lead. CMU got a run back in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI double to make it 2-1. 

From there, both teams failed to score until the sixth inning. The Eagles scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with a pair of RBI singles to take a 3-2 lead. 

The Crusaders didn't back down however, as an RBI single by Anthony Sharkas brought home Alex Garbacik tied things at 3-3 in the top of the eighth. Unfortunately, the Eagles hit a two-run go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth to take a 5-3 lead and ultimately claim the victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Garbacik led the team at the plate, going 2-of-3.
• Dustin Cummins got the start and pitched 5.1 innings, striking out five hitters. 
• Brandon Rice (2-2) relieved Cummins and struck out two batters in 2.2 innings of work. 

UP NEXT:

Madonna will return for Fall Ball in September.

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