BSB WHAC Champs 22-23
Ryan Mitchell, MU Sports Information
7
Concordia (MI) CUAA 46-8
9
Winner Madonna MU 35-15
Concordia (MI) CUAA
46-8
7
Final
9
Madonna MU
35-15
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Concordia (MI) CUAA 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 1 7 9 2
Madonna MU 1 0 3 0 0 0 4 1 X 9 12 1

W: Cummins, Dustin (5-0) L: T. Pomaville (8-2) S: Vermander, Riley (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Hunter Chovanec

Baseball Holds Off Concordia, Wins WHAC Tournament Championship

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The story with the Madonna University baseball team all season has been the home run ball. The Crusaders used it again on Tuesday afternoon, defeating Concordia University 9-7 to claim the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament title. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Concordia served as the visiting team in game two of the best-of-three series. The Cardinals struck first when Drew Fleming launched a two-run home run ro left field and gave them a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. In the bottom half of the inning, Madonna got a run back as Anthony Sharkas hit a solo home run to cut the deficit in half. 

The Crusaders took their first lead in the bottom of the third, as Alex Garbacik hit a two-run shot to make it 3-2, before a Jace Matkin solo blast extended the Madonna lead to 4-2.

Fleming and the Cardinals answered in the fourth and fifth innings. The WHAC Player of the Year first hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth to make it a one run game, before coming back in the top of the fifth with a two-run shot to give Concordia the 5-4 lead. 

Madonna took the lead for good in the seventh inning with three solo home runs. Garbacik got the long ball party started with his second of the game to tie things at 5-5. Matkin then hit the go-ahead home run to right center field to make the score 6-5, before Brady Krzciok made it 7-5 with a solo shot to right field. 

After an RBI single by Matt Staelgraeve made it 8-5 after seven innings, the Cardinals got a run back in the eighth but didn't get any closer. Despite giving up a run in the ninth inning, Riley Vermander slammed the door shut and saved the game for the Crusaders, allowing them to clinch the WHAC Tournament title on Concordia's home field. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
  • Nate Blain got the start on the mound, throwing five innings and striking out nine. 
  • Dustin Cummins (5-0) relieved Blain and earned the win after pitching three innings. 
  • Garbacik led the offense at the plate, going 3-of-5 with two home runs and three RBIs. 
  • Matkin was 3-of-5 with two home runs and two RBIs. 

UP NEXT:

Madonna will find out where they are playing for the NAIA Opening Round with Thursday's selection show beginning at 5:00 PM.

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