LIVONIA, Mich. - (RV) Madonna Crusaders Softball team faced off in a double-header in their home opener Friday afternoon against Roosevelt University. The Crusaders would split the series losing the first game 5-2 in eight innings and win the second game 11-3. 

Game 1:

In game one, it was Maeson Schlaud on the mound for the Crusaders in a pitchers duel throughout a majority of game one. The game would remain scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when the Crusaders would break the 0-0 tie. The inning would start off with two walks to Bailey Martin and Emily Biggott which would set up junior Emma Mossing to lay down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third with one out. That would lead to a Ella Thomas single into left field that would clear the bases and put the Crusaders up 2-0 heading into the top of the 7th. Roosevelt would score in the top of the 7th to make it a 2-2 ball game heading into the bottom of the 7th with a walk off opportunity available for the Crusaders. Regan Finkbeiner would lead things off for the Crusaders with a lead off single up the middle. Then with one out in the inning, Jessica Dunkel would single to the left side to put runners on first and second with one out. But the Crusaders were unable to get the runs across and the game would head to extra innings. Roosevelt would score three runs in the top of the eighth to take a 5-2 lead as the Crusaders headed up to bat. The bottom of the 8th would prove to be like the 7th as the Crusaders would get singles from Mossing and Faith Peschke but were unable to get any runs across as they would fall in extras 5-2.  Schlaud would throw all 8 innings totaling up 150 pitches with 15 strikeouts and only one walk. 


INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Thomas would go 2-3 with 2 RBI's and a stolen base.
• Mackenzie Ming would go 1-4 with a double.
• Biggott would go 1-3 with a run scored. 

Game 2:

The Crusaders second game would feature Jane Anderson making her eighth start of the season and another win bringing her record up to 7-1. The Crusaders bats would be much hotter in this game as the Crusaders would put up 7 runs in two innings. Almost everyone got in on the fun totaling up 13 hits as a team led by Ming who would go 2-4 with a homerun and two RBI's. Along with Finkbeiner who would finish 2-4 with two triples and would lead in RBI's with three. Thomas would go a perfect 3-3 with 2 RBI's and a stolen base. Alissa Gauthier would also have a strong game after struggling in game one going 1-2 with 2 RBI's and two SAC fly's.  Anderson would throw 4.1 innings on 97 pitches and 5 strikeouts. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Biggott would go 1-2 with a double 
• Dunkel would go 2-3 with an RBI.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will be off on a three game road trip starting with a trip to Lawrence Tech where they will take on the Blue Devils on Saturday, March 23rd. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM.

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