LIVONIA, Mich. – In a matchup filled with added motivation, Madonna softball delivered a statement performance Saturday afternoon, defeating the University of Northwestern Ohio 5–3 at University Field in WHAC Conference Tournament play.
The victory carried extra significance for the Crusaders, as it served as a measure of redemption after UNOH defeated Madonna in last season's conference tournament championship game. This time, on their home field while hosting their pod, the Crusaders flipped the script.
Madonna wasted no time setting the tone, erupting for four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ashley Rosiewicz sparked the rally with a double, and Brynn Anteau followed with a single to put runners in scoring position. Faith Cramton drove in the first run with an RBI single before Rylee Fitzpatrick kept the momentum going with another base hit.
Carson Kuhlmann delivered the biggest swing of the inning, ripping a two-RBI double to extend the lead to 3–0. Payden Whitmore added an RBI groundout to cap the four-run frame and give Madonna an early 4–0 advantage.
Northwestern Ohio responded in the third inning, plating two runs to cut into the deficit. A double from Morgan Piotrovsky and a Madonna error allowed the Racers to make it a 4–2 game and shift some momentum back to the visitors.
The Crusaders answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Fitzpatrick came through once again with an RBI single, scoring Anteau to extend the lead to 5–2 and regain control.
From there, the game turned into a pitching battle. UNOH added a solo home run in the sixth inning to make it 5–3, but Madonna's pitching staff held firm the rest of the way.
Camille Oyer got the start in the circle, allowing two runs (one earned) over 2.2 innings. Laci Harris entered in relief and delivered a strong performance, earning the win after tossing 3.1 innings while allowing just one run and keeping the Racers off balance. Anna Battagin closed out the game in the seventh, striking out two to secure the victory.
Offensively, Madonna finished with 10 hits, led by Fitzpatrick's perfect 3-for-3 performance with an RBI. Anteau added two hits and scored twice, while Cramton contributed two hits and an RBI. Kuhlmann's two-RBI double proved to be a key moment in the game, and Rosiewicz added an extra-base hit at the top of the lineup.
The Crusaders' aggressive approach on the bases also played a role, as Madonna consistently put pressure on the UNOH defense throughout the game.
With the win, Madonna improved to 41–4 on the season and continued its run through the WHAC Tournament. More importantly, the victory marked a meaningful step forward for the program, as the Crusaders earned a measure of revenge against the team that ended their season one year ago.
Madonna will look to carry that momentum forward as tournament play continues in Livonia. The Crusaders will be facing Cornerstone University in tomorrow's Sunday matchup as they will look to close out the opening rounds of the 2026 WHAC Tournament.
