Stepek
2
Texas Wesleyan TWU 42-12
6
Winner Madonna (Mich.) MADONNA 43-15
Texas Wesleyan TWU
42-12
2
Final
6
Madonna (Mich.) MADONNA
43-15
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Texas Wesleyan TWU 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 2 1
Madonna (Mich.) MADONNA 0 0 0 1 5 0 0 0 X 6 5 0

W: Gajewski, Ethan (6-1) L: Samuel Mendez (10-3)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Madonna erupts for five-run fifth to beat Texas Wesleyan 6-2 to Advance to NAIA Opening Round Final

LINCOLN, Neb.-- Madonna turned a one-run deficit into control of the game with a five-run fifth inning Wednesday, beating Texas Wesleyan 6-2 in a neutral-site matchup at Sherman Field in Lincoln, Neb. The decisive stretch came after Texas Wesleyan grabbed a 2-1 lead, as Carson Noon delivered a go-ahead two-run double and Aamir Mitchell followed with a three-run homer to lift the Crusaders.

Texas Wesleyan scored first in the top of the third when Jose Rangel singled through the right side to bring home a run for a 1-0 lead. Madonna answered in the fourth on Ty Stepek's solo home run to left, tying the game at 1-1. Texas Wesleyan moved back in front in the fifth on Jorge Herrera's solo shot to left, but the Crusaders responded immediately with the biggest inning of the afternoon.

In the bottom of the fifth, Madonna cashed in on its opportunity. Gus Simon and Ty Rowe scored on Noon's double to left-center, giving the Crusaders a 3-2 lead. Mitchell then drove a three-run homer down the right-field line, pushing the advantage to 6-2. Madonna finished with five hits, but made them count, getting two home runs and six RBIs while also drawing five walks.

Ethan Gajewski anchored the win on the mound for Madonna. The right-hander worked seven innings, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out five and walking one on 92 pitches. Texas Wesleyan managed only two hits all game, and Madonna's pitching staff did not allow an error behind him as the Crusaders closed out the victory cleanly.
Stepek, Noon and Mitchell supplied the key offensive production. Stepek finished 1 for 4 with the game-tying homer, Noon went 1 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and a walk, and Mitchell drove in three with his fifth-inning blast. Samuel Mendez took the loss for Texas Wesleyan after allowing six earned runs over 5 2/3 innings. Madonna improved its position with a composed, efficient response after trailing twice, and the fifth inning provided all the separation it needed. The Crusaders will advance to the NAIA Opening Round final where they will need to defeat Doane twice to move on to the World Series.
Print Friendly Version