Mesa, Ariz. – Madonna baseball battled through a back-and-forth contest Tuesday afternoon, defeating Benedictine Mesa 6–4 in extra innings at Gene Autry Park.

The Crusaders jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning when Ty Stepek tripled to left field and came around to score on the play, giving Madonna a quick 1–0 advantage.

Benedictine Mesa responded in the third inning to tie the game before taking a 2–1 lead in the fifth after working a bases-loaded opportunity. Madonna's pitching staff kept the deficit within reach, and the game remained tight heading into the late innings.

In the ninth inning, the Crusaders delivered a clutch moment to regain the lead. After Kooper Etheridge reached base, Aamir Mitchell launched a two-run home run to left field to put Madonna ahead 3–2.

The Redhawks answered in the bottom of the inning with a run of their own, sending the game into extra innings tied at 3–3.

Madonna broke the tie in the tenth with a decisive rally. Chase Gabel opened the inning with a single before Ty Stepek doubled to move the tying run into scoring position. Etheridge then came through with a two-RBI double to left field, giving the Crusaders a 5–3 lead. Luke Spicer followed with an RBI single, and an outfield error allowed another run to score, extending the advantage to 6–3.

Benedictine Mesa managed to push across one run in the bottom of the tenth, but Madonna closer David Zilch finished the game to secure the 6–4 victory.

The Crusaders collected 11 hits in the contest. Mitchell led the way with three hits and two RBIs, while Etheridge added two hits and two RBIs. Stepek and Spicer also recorded two hits each as Madonna's offense produced timely hits in key moments.

On the mound, Riley Niggemeyer earned the win in relief while Zilch recorded the save. Madonna's pitching staff limited Benedictine Mesa to seven hits and worked out of several jams to help secure the extra-inning victory.