COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The eight-seeded Madonna Crusaders kept their season alive with a 4-3 victory over the defending national champions and 10-seeded Raiders of Southern Oregon. With the come from behind win, the 2024 Crusaders moved to 54-5 on the year and have broken the record for most wins in a single-season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Game three for the Crusaders featured a roller coaster of emotion with big plays. As this one started, the first batter of the game for the raiders sent a blooper into light field and Regan Finkbiner lays outs for a spectacular catch for the first out. 
 

Top 1 | THAT'S HOW YOU START A GAME‼️

Reggie with a web gem in left to get the first out!

MU: 0️⃣
SOU: 0️⃣#CrusaderNation pic.twitter.com/CWFPZeML4w

— Madonna Softball (@MUCrusadersSB) May 25, 2024

In the top of the second, the Raiders would open the scoring as they had lead-off solo bomb to left field to make it 1-0. It was a short-lived lead for the Raiders as in the bottom of the third, junior Alissa Gauthier hit a two-run home run to left centerfield and Madonna was on top after three.
 

Bot 3 | FIRST PITCH SWINGING 💣

Gauth with a MOON SHOT to left center to give the Crusaders the lead‼️

MU: 2️⃣
SOU: 1️⃣#CrusaderNation pic.twitter.com/1nZat1jJiK

— Madonna Softball (@MUCrusadersSB) May 25, 2024

 

In the fourth, the Raiders threatened and delivered as they got two runs on two hits to take the lead back 3-2. Fast forward to the bottom of the fifth, the Crusaders would put together a much needed rally. Faith Peschke and Gautheir walked to started the inning off. One batter later, Ashley Rosiewicz singled to centerfield and would load the bases. Jessica Dunkel stepped up to the plate she grounded to third base, and Madonna catches a break as the ball got away from the catcher and the Crusaders tied things up 3-3. With the bases still loaded, it would bring up Mackenzie Ming and she would deliver a sacrifice fly to score Gauthier and Madonna led 4-3 and brought home the win to keep their season alive.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Gauthier's home run was her fifth this season and the sixth of her career
• The 2024 Crusaders broke the record for most wins in a single season with 54 wins. The previous record was 53 as the 2009 Crusaders went 53-11

UP NEXT: 

The Crusaders will be back in action on Monday, May 27 at 4:00 p.m. when they take on the seven-seed Warriors of Jessup University (Calif.) in an elimination game. 

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