Ming NAIA Opening Round
Ryan Mitchell, MU Sports Information
Junior catcher Mackenzie Ming (37) recorded two RBIs on the final day of the NAIA Leadoff Tournament.
8
Winner Madonna MADONNA 6-0
0
William Penn (IA) WILLIAM 5-4
Winner
Madonna MADONNA
6-0
8
Final
0
William Penn (IA) WILLIAM
5-4
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Madonna MADONNA 0 0 5 3 0 8 6 0
William Penn (IA) WILLIAM 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1

W: Schlaud, Maeson (3-0) L: E. Bryant (0-2)

2
Winner Saint Xavier (IL) SAINT XA 3-1
1
Madonna MADONNA 6-1
Winner
Saint Xavier (IL) SAINT XA
3-1
2
Final
1
Madonna MADONNA
6-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Saint Xavier (IL) SAINT XA 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 6 0
Madonna MADONNA 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 7 1

W: J. Claas (2-0) L: Anderson, Jane (1-1) S: L. Summers (1)

Game Recap: Softball | | Kellen Burke

Crusaders split on final day of Leadoff Tournament

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Madonna Crusaders' returned to the field on the final day of the NAIA Leadoff Tournament for a double-header before returning to Michigan. They would kick off the day with an 8-0 win in just five innings against the William Penn College Statesmen. Their second game would not be as explosive, as the Crusaders would pick up their first loss of the year in a rematch against #24 Saint Xavier (Ill.) Cougars 2-1.

Game 1:

While the game would have a slow start, scoreless after two innings, the Crusaders would get things going in the top of the third. Junior infielder Jillian Harris would get things going with a single up the middle, then stealing second. She would be brought home by freshman outfielder Regan Finkbeiner who ripped a triple to right field. With the next at-bat, Gauthier would ground out, but bring Finkbeiner home for the score, as the Crusaders jumped ahead to a 2-0 lead.

With the Statesmen still trapped in the top of the third, the Crusaders would extend the lead even more as sophomore Jessica Dunkel hit a two-RBI single to center field. The Crusaders would score once more before the third out, as junior catcher Mackenzie Ming would bring Dunkel home with a triple to right field. The Crusaders led 5-0 after three innings.

Harris would score her second run of the game in the top of the fourth on a bases-loaded walk. With the next at-bat, Ashley Rosiewicz would step up to the plate to bring Finkbeiner home with a sacrifice fly. Alissa Gauther scored the final run of the game in the top of the fourth to extend the lead to 8-0.

With the Statesmen remaining scoreless after five innings, the run rule would go into effect as the Crusaders ended the game early in a 8-0.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
  • Maeson Schlaud recorded eight strikeouts and only allowed three hits through five innings pitched.
  • Finkbeiner went 2-of-2 at the plate with two runs and one RBI.
  • Dunkel scored one run and two RBIs.
  • Harris scored two runs.
  • Gauthier, Rosiewicz, and Faith Peschke each scored one run and one RBI.

GAME 2:

After beating the Cougars yesterday in a 4-1 win, they would best the Crusaders in their second matchup in the NAIA Leadoff Tournament. 

The lone run of the Crusaders would come as Ming hit a single to left field that brought home sophomore Lucy Benin for the score. 

Despite their early 1-0 lead, the Cougars would score two unanswered runs and hand the Crusaders' their first loss of the 2024 season, 2-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
  • Jane Anderson threw seven strikeouts through six innings pitched.
  • Ming went 2-of-3 at the plate with one RBI.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will next venture to Davenport, Iowa for another weekend tournament. They are set to open things up against #24 Saint Xavier (Ill.) and Saint Ambrose University (Iowa) on Saturday, February 17th.
 
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