Gauthier base running vs. Lourdes
2
IU South Bend IUSB 0-0
3
Winner Madonna MAD 0-0
IU South Bend IUSB
0-0
2
Final
3
Madonna MAD
0-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
IU South Bend IUSB 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 1
Madonna MAD 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 3 8 1

W: Harris, Laci (0-0) L: A. Yarnell (0-0)

1
Judson (IL) JUDSON 0-0
13
Winner Madonna MADONNA 0-0
Judson (IL) JUDSON
0-0
1
Final
13
Madonna MADONNA
0-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Judson (IL) JUDSON 1 0 0 0 0 1 5 2
Madonna MADONNA 5 8 0 0 X 13 13 1

W: Ludescher, Courtney (1-0) L: M. Muskin (0-1)

4
Winner Madonna MAD 5-0
1
St. Xavier SXU 1-1
Winner
Madonna MAD
5-0
4
Final
1
St. Xavier SXU
1-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Madonna MAD 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 6 0
St. Xavier SXU 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 1

W: Schlaud, Maeson (2-0) L: L. Summers (0-1)

Game Recap: Softball |

Crusaders Remain Undefeated After Day Two of NAIA Leadoff Tournament

ROSEMONT, Ill. - After going 2-0 on Opening Day, the (RV) Madonna Crusaders Softball team faced off in a triple-header Saturday against Indiana University South Bend, Judson University (Ill.), and Saint Xavier University (Ill.). The Crusaders would remain undefeated going 3-0 on Saturday and now are 5-0 to start the 2024 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

In the first game of the day, it was a rematch of Saturday's nightcap between the Crusaders and the Titans of IU South Bend. Sophomore Laci Harris would make her first start of the year in the pitching circle, and faced some adversity in the top of the first. The Titans struck first with a two-run home run to left field to take a 2-0 lead. Harris would settle back in as the second and third innings, she would strike out three batters and only allow one hit. 

In the bottom of the third, the Crusaders' bats woke up. Ella Thomas led off with a double to right center field. Alissa Gauthier was up next and followed up with an RBI double to cut into the Titans lead. After the Gauthier double, both defenses stepped up and shut each other down. 

In the seventh inning, Harris made quick work of the Titans and the Crusaders went into the bottom of the seventh trailing 2-1. In the bottom of the seventh, Mackenzie Ming led off and delivered with a double to left field. Gabbie Toth would come up to the plate and singled to left field. Two batters later, Gauthier would come up with the bases loaded, and walked it off for the Crusaders with a two RBI double for Madonna to win 3-2 and stay undefeated.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
  • Harris went the distance pitching 7.0 innings, letting up four hits, two runs and four strikeouts
  • Gauthier would go 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs
  • Ming went 2-for-3 with a double

Game 2:

The Crusaders second game would feature freshman Courtney Ludescher in her debut on the mound for Madonna. The Crusaders bats would be a big help for the newcomer as the Crusaders would put up 13 runs in two innings. Alissa Gauthier would lead the Crusaders going 2-of-2 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Gauthier would homer along with a triple both coming in the second inning. Mackenzie Ming would also have a big game for the Crusaders as she would also hit a three run home run on 1-of-2 hitting. Emily Biggott would also have a big game as she would go 2-of-3 with three RBIs and a triple.  Ludescher would go 4 innings allowing only one run on four hits with six strikeouts to help the Crusaders take home a 13-1 win in five innings. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
Game 3:

The nightcap would feature the Crusaders going up against No. 24 Saint Xavier Cougars. With the Crusaders facing a Top 25 team, head coach Ron Pezzoni turned to Maeson Schlaud to get the job done for Madonna.  Schalud did just that as she dominated the first two innings striking out five batters. However, in the third inning the Cougars strung together a couple of hits and took a 1-0 lead. After that though, Schalud dialed back in and kept the Crusaders in this as Madonna's offense couldn't do much at the moment. 

Top of the sixth came and Madonna was still trailing 1-0. The Crusaders would rattle off three consecutive hits and would have the bases loaded. After a fielder's choice the Crusaders still had bases loaded with one out, and Ashley Rosiewicz delivered with a two RBI single to take a 2-1 lead. After that, the Cougars made a throwing error trying to catch Rosiewicz stealing, which ended up scoring another run for Madonna making this one now 3-1 in favor of the Crusaders. Senior Bailey Martin would grant Madonna another insurance run to make it 4-1 headed into the bottom of the sixth. 

Schlaud made quick work of the No. 24 ranked Cougars in the finals two innings. Madonna would win this one 4-1 and get their first win over a Top 25 team this season. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
  • Schlaud went the distance, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing six hits, one run and strikeout 12 batters
  • Rosiewicz went 1-of-3 with two RBIs

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will be back in action on Sunday when they take on William Penn University (Iowa) and No. 24 Saint Xavier (Ill.) once again for their final game in the NAIA Leadoff Tournament.

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