Game 1:
Toledo, Ohio – Madonna baseball opened its doubleheader against Lourdes University with an offensive showcase, defeating the Gray Wolves 13–3 on March 22.
The Crusaders came out swinging, scoring four runs in the first inning to take early control. After working runners into scoring position, Madonna capitalized on Lourdes miscues before
Gus Simon delivered a two-run home run to cap the inning and make it 4–0.
Lourdes responded with a two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning and added another run in the second to cut the deficit to 6–3, but that would be as close as the Gray Wolves would get.
Madonna answered in the second inning when
Jack Nilson launched a two-run home run to extend the lead back to four runs. The Crusaders continued to build their advantage in the middle innings, adding two runs in the fourth behind RBI efforts from
Aamir Mitchell and
Chase Gabel.
The offense kept rolling in the fifth, as
Logan Ellis drove in a run and
Ty Stepek followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 10–3.
Madonna sealed the game in the seventh inning with a three-run rally. Stepek highlighted the frame with an RBI double,
Kooper Etheridge added a run-scoring groundout, and Gabel drove in another run with an RBI single.
The Crusaders finished with 13 hits in the game, with multiple contributors throughout the lineup. Stepek led the way with two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored, while Nilson and Simon each homered and drove in two runs. Mitchell also recorded two hits, scored three times, and added an RBI.
On the mound,
Ethan Gajewski earned the win, tossing five innings and allowing three runs while striking out four. Madonna's bullpen combination of
Riley Niggemeyer and
Brendan VanTubergen shut the door, holding Lourdes scoreless over the final innings.
With the win, the Crusaders set the tone for the day, using an explosive offensive performance and solid pitching to take game one of the doubleheader.
Game 2:
Madonna baseball used a dominant middle-inning surge to defeat Lourdes University 13–3 in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader.
After a scoreless first inning, the Crusaders broke through in the second when Gus Simon delivered an RBI double to give Madonna a 1–0 lead. Lourdes answered in the third to tie the game, but the Crusaders quickly responded.
Madonna took control in the fourth inning, scoring four runs to build a 5–1 advantage. Kooper Etheridge provided the big hit of the inning with a two-RBI single, while Logan Ellis added an RBI as the Crusaders capitalized on key opportunities.
The Crusaders added another run in the fifth before delivering the decisive blow in the sixth inning. Madonna erupted for six runs in the frame, highlighted by a three-run double from Chase Gabel. Ellis and Jason Serafinchon each drove in runs during the rally as the lead stretched to 12–2.
Lourdes managed to push across a run in the sixth, but Madonna answered once more in the seventh when Luke Spicer recorded an RBI single to cap the scoring at 13–3.
Madonna finished with 11 hits and eight walks, consistently applying pressure on the Lourdes pitching staff. Spicer led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Gabel drove in three runs. Etheridge added two hits and two RBIs, and Ellis chipped in three RBIs in the win.
On the mound, Jason Jurczyk earned the victory after throwing five innings and allowing just two runs. Jackson Manoulian and Austin Fisher combined in relief to close out the game and secure the win.
With the victory, the Crusaders completed a dominant doubleheader sweep, combining timely hitting with strong pitching to take both games convincingly.
