Madonna continued their strong start to the season in Davenport, Iowa, improving to 2-0 with a 6-3 victory over host St. Ambrose University at the St. Ambrose Dome. The Crusaders relied on a big second inning and steady pitching to secure the win in the second half of their Saturday doubleheader.

The Madonna offense went to work early in the top of the second inning. Skylar Spisz ignited the scoring with an RBI single to center field that brought home Ella Thomas. Faith Peschke then provided the big blow of the frame, lining a double to center that cleared the bases and drove in both Spisz and Chelsea Weatherford. By the end of the inning, the Crusaders had jumped out to a 4-0 lead.

St. Ambrose began to chip away at the deficit in the fourth inning when Taylor Martyn singled to left to drive in Becca Haag. However, Madonna answered back in the top of the fifth. Regan Finkbeiner started the rally with a double and later scored on an RBI single from Faith Cramton. The Crusaders added one more in the inning when Spisz drew a bases-loaded walk, pushing the Madonna lead to 6-1.

The Fighting Bees attempted a late comeback, scoring single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, including a solo home run by Haag. Despite the pressure, the Madonna defense remained sharp, and the pitching staff closed the door in the seventh to preserve the three-run victory.

Finkbeiner and Peschke led the way for the Crusaders with extra-base hits, while Spisz and Cramton combined for three runs batted in. With the win, Madonna finishes the opening day of the tournament undefeated as they prepare for a Sunday morning matchup against the University of Saint Mary.

Madonna will be in action again on Sunday, February 22, 2026 when they take on the University of Saint Mary (Kan.) for their first game of the day.