MELBOURNE, FL– Madonna softball used a strong mid-game rally and solid pitching to defeat RV Dordt (Iowa) 7–3 on March 9 at the Space Coast Complex.

Dordt jumped out to an early lead with a two-run home run in the second inning and added another run in the third to take a 3–0 advantage. The Crusaders quickly responded in the bottom of the third inning. Faith Peschke and Regan Finkbeiner both reached base to start the rally before Brynn Anteau delivered an RBI single. Rylee Fitzpatrick followed with another RBI single to bring Madonna within one run.

Madonna took control in the fourth inning with three runs. Peschke started the inning with a triple before Finkbeiner worked a walk and stole second. Ashley Rosiewicz then drove a two-run single up the middle to give the Crusaders their first lead of the game. Later in the inning, Faith Cramton added an RBI groundout to extend the advantage to 5–3.

The Crusaders added two more insurance runs in the sixth inning. After Rosiewicz reached base and moved into scoring position, Fitzpatrick drove in a run with a single to left field. Ella Thomas followed with an RBI single to push the Madonna lead to 7–3.

In the circle, Camille Oyer earned the win after striking out nine batters in 4.2 innings of work. Avrey Wolverton closed out the game in relief, tossing two scoreless innings and striking out three to earn the save.

Offensively, Madonna finished with 11 hits in the game. Rosiewicz led the way with two hits, three runs scored, and two RBIs, while Fitzpatrick added two hits and two RBIs. Anteau and Peschke each recorded two hits as the Crusaders continued their productive offensive stretch during their Florida trip.

Madonna will look to improve to 15-1 on the season when they face RV Coastal Georgia at 4:45 PM at Space Coast Field to wrap up day 3 of the spring break trip.