Box Score ANN ARBOR, Mich. – It took 11 innings, but the Madonna University baseball team defeated Concordia University 7-6 on Monday afternoon in game one of the WHAC Championship series. The Crusaders are now one win away from winning the WHAC Tournament title, while the Cardinals will need to defeat Madonna twice tomorrow to claim the crown. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Madonna started strong, as Jace Matkin lifted a two-run home run over the left field fence to put the Crusaders on the board in the top of the first. Matkin later made it 3-0 with an RBI single in the third inning, before a Bobby Cavin two-run single made it 5-0. 

Concordia got a run back in the fourth, but Madonna countered in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly by Alex Garbacik. After a strong start by Victor Mencotti, Brandon Rice was brought in to get the final eight outs for the Crusaders following a home run by the Cardinals that made it 6-2. 

Unfortunately the Cardinals were able to find that late inning magic and put together a rally in the bottom of the ninth. An RBI single made it 6-3, before a three-run home run with two outs tied the game at 6-6, sending the game into extra innings. 

After a scoreless 10th inning, Madonna entered the 11th looking for the elusive go-ahead run. They got it thanks to a Cardinal error that allowed Kyle Revere to come across and make the score 7-6. Sam Assaf retired the Cardinals in order in the bottom of the 11th and gave Madonna the much-needed game one victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Mencotti went 6.1 innings on the mound, striking out four batters. 
• Assaf (2-1) picked up the win in relief, pitching the 10th and 11th innings for Madonna. 
• Matkin and Matt Staelgraeve each had two hits for the Crusaders.

UP NEXT:

Game two of the WHAC Championship series is set for 1:00 PM tomorrow afternoon.

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