WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. --  The Madonna University softball team saw its season come to an end Wednesday after a heartbreaking 4-1 loss in 10 innings at the hands of the No.3 ranked Patriots of the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.). The Crusaders finished with a 38-14 overall record and 15-7 record in WHAC play while also claiming the WHAC Tournament Title.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
In a rematch from Tuesday's winner bracket game, the Crusaders were looking for revenge. Maeson Schlaud got the start once again for Madonna and went to work early, striking out four batters through four innings.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Crusaders got things rolling. Mackenzie Ming would single through the right side of the infield, Kelsi Littleton dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to second. Then freshman Jessica Dunkel sent one down the left field line to put the Crusaders up 1-0. 

  
Schlaud and the Crusaders defense went back to work, putting up two more scoreless innings. In the top of the seventh, the Crusaders had the No.3 team in the country with their backs against the wall. The Crusaders took care of the first two batters and now with two outs, the Patriots hit a bullet that bounced off third base and the ball headed to the left field corner for a stand up double. The next batter singled up the middle to tie the game at 1-1. The Crusaders couldn't get any magic going in the bottom of the seventh, and they headed to extra innings. Schlaud went back into the pitcher's circle and was dialed in, throwing a perfect eighth and ninth innings.


In the 10th inning, Schalud struck out the first batter and the second batter grounded out to Bailey Martin. Once again with two outs, the Patriots got another two out rally and brought three runs across the board to take a 4-1 lead and ultimately gave Cumberlands the victory.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Schlaud went 10.0 innings, giving up six hits and struck out 12 batters
• Ming led the team at the plate, going 2-of-3
• Dunkel went 1-of-4 and drove in the only Crusaders run

UP NEXT:

This concludes the Crusaders' 2023 season and will return to the diamond next spring.

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