COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The eight-seeded Madonna Crusaders faced off against the nine-seeded Grizzlies of Georgia Gwinnett College (Ga.) in the first game of the 2024 NAIA Softball World Series. This game featured two of the best pitchers in the country and they both did not disappoint. In what was the definition of a pitchers' dual, the Crusaders came away 1-0 off a walk-off RBI single from
Alissa Gauthier.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Crusaders, as the higher seed in this mach-up were designated as the home team for this contest and took the field first to start the game. In a contest where the Crusaders faced off against the reigning NAIA Pitcher of the Year, it was senior pitcher
Maeson Schlaud setting the tone in the top of the first, striking out two batters. The Grizzlies matched that energy from Schlaud and the crowd at South Commons Softball Complex was in for a classic pitchers dual.
In the top of the fourth, the Grizzlies got their lead-off batter on with a single to right center field. That opportunity didn't last long as the ver next pitch, the Grizzlies tried to steal second but a frozen rop by catcher
Mackenzie Ming gunned the runner down for the first out.
The Crusaders biggest test, came in the top of the sixth inning with bases loaded and one out. After three straight singles, head coach
Ron Pezzoni took a mound visit to talk to his infield. Coming out of the meeting Schlaud dialed back in, struck out two batter in a row and Madonna was out of the jam.
Bottom of the seventh, the Crusaders had an opportunity to put the game to rest and they made the most of it. With one out, freshmen
Ella Thomas and
Faith Peschke both singled to centerfield. Now with runners on first and second, stepped up lead-off hitter
Alissa Gauthier. On a 1-0 count and the outfield playing in, Gauthier delivers with a hard hit ball into the right center gap and the Crusaders would win this one 1-0 in walk-off fashion.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Gauthier's RBI was her 50th of the season, the first Crusaders to have 50+ RBIs in a season since 2016 and only the third Crusader ever to have 50+ RBIs in a single-season
- Ming with her double today, broke the Madonna season record for most doubles in a single-season with 20
- With the win, Schlaud's record moved to 36-3 on year
UP NEXT:
The Crusaders are back in action tomorrow as the take on the No. 1 team in the country and one-seeded Saints of Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas). Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
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