GAME 1:
Madonna used a pair of three-run innings and a go-ahead rally in the fourth to defeat Dakota State (S.D.) 7–5 in a seven-inning neutral-site matchup Saturday at Estes Field in Fayette, Mo.
Trailing 5–4 after a three-run homer by Dakota State's Camaron Haller in the top of the fifth, the Crusaders responded immediately in the home half of the inning. Aamir Mitchell lined a two-run single to push Madonna back in front, and Brett Reed followed with an RBI single to cap a three-run frame that reclaimed a 7–5 lead the Crusaders would not relinquish. The comeback marked Madonna's second three-run inning of the day and showcased a balanced offense that produced seven runs on seven hits while drawing seven walks and stealing three bases.
Madonna's offense first gained control in the third. After tying the game 1–1 in the second on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Gus Simon, the Crusaders broke through with three runs in the third inning. Reed provided the big swing, driving a two-run home run to give Madonna its first lead. Later in the frame, Donovan Thompson added an RBI single, stretching the margin to 4–1 and putting pressure on the Dakota State pitching staff.
Dakota State answered with steady pressure of its own. The Trojans plated a run in the fourth and then surged ahead in the top of the fifth. With two runners aboard, Haller delivered a three-run shot that turned a 4–2 deficit into a 5–4 lead. Dakota State finished with five runs on seven hits, drew eight walks and left nine runners on base, but could not capitalize again after Haller's go-ahead homer.
Reed anchored the Madonna lineup, finishing 2-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. Mitchell added a key all-around performance, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases, helping the Crusaders manufacture offense beyond the long ball. Madonna's aggressiveness on the bases, highlighted by three steals, complemented its timely hitting in the middle innings.
On the mound, starter Trey Acker earned the win for Madonna. Acker worked 4.0 innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs while striking out five and walking three. Reliever David Zilch closed it out to record the save, helping Madonna's staff finish the day with seven innings pitched and 10 total strikeouts without committing a defensive error. Dakota State's Ryland Carroll took the loss as the Crusaders' decisive three-run fifth inning swung the outcome.
With the 7–5 victory, Madonna showed resilience in a back-and-forth contest, answering Dakota State's late push and protecting the lead down the stretch. The Crusaders' combination of power from Reed, situational hitting from Mitchell and steady work from Acker and Zilch provided a solid early-season blueprint in neutral-site play at Estes Field.
GAME 2:
FAYETTE, Mo. — Madonna University used a string of big innings and a pair of home runs from A. Mitchell to break open a close game and roll past Dakota State (S.D.) 17-6 in a neutral-site matchup Saturday afternoon.
Trailing 3-0 early, the Crusaders seized control with a three-run third inning and never relinquished the momentum. Mitchell delivered the decisive swing in that frame, drilling a three-run homer to left field to erase Dakota State's lead and tie the game 3-3. From there, Madonna's offense poured on 14 more runs over the next four innings to pull away.
Madonna finished with 17 runs on 12 hits and took advantage of four Dakota State errors, while playing clean defense with no errors of its own. The Crusaders' lineup was especially productive from the third through the sixth innings, scoring 12 runs in that span. Madonna also showed patience and toughness at the plate, drawing five walks and being hit by seven pitches to keep pressure on Trojan pitching.
After Mitchell's game-tying blast in the third, Madonna moved in front with a four-run fourth inning. Ayden Bridges sparked the rally with an RBI single and advanced on a fielding error, and Ty Stepek added a sacrifice fly as the Crusaders built a 7-3 advantage. Dakota State answered with three runs in the fifth to cut the deficit to 7-6, but Madonna immediately responded with its biggest frame of the day.
In the six-run fifth, Kooper Etheridge delivered the key blow, tripling to clear the bases for three RBIs. Kevin Davis followed with an RBI double, and Mitchell struck again with a two-run homer, pushing the Crusaders to a commanding 13-6 lead. Madonna continued to add on in the late innings as Chase Gabel launched a two-run homer to right in the sixth and B. Reed drove in a run with a seventh-inning single to cap the scoring at 17-6.
Mitchell led the way offensively for Madonna, going 2-for-4 with two home runs, five RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. Etheridge added a standout performance with two hits, including a double and a triple, three runs scored and three RBIs, while also being hit by a pitch. Gabel contributed a two-run homer in limited at-bats, and the Crusaders collectively piled up 14 RBIs on their 12 hits.
On the mound, Madonna's pitching staff was effective despite allowing six runs, limiting Dakota State to eight hits and striking out 11 over seven innings. Dakota State's offense was paced by Chris Vinson, who hit a two-run homer to left center in the second to help the Trojans build an early 3-0 lead, and Brayden Byrum, who notched two hits including a double and drove in two runs. However, Trojan pitchers struggled to contain Madonna's attack, allowing 17 runs — 14 earned — on 12 hits with 11 strikeouts over seven innings and issuing four wild pitches.
With the win, Madonna turned an early deficit into a decisive neutral-site victory, using power, depth and disciplined at-bats to overwhelm Dakota State and set a strong tone for its February slate.
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