Madonna University Athletics

FAYETTE, Mo.-- Madonna broke a scoreless duel in the sixth inning and made it stand Wednesday, defeating Central Methodist (Mo.) 1-0 in Fayette, Mo. Carson Kuhlmann delivered the decisive hit, singling to left to score pinch-runner Izzy MacCaughan and give the Crusaders the only run they would need.

The breakthrough came after Faith Cramton doubled to left-center to put Madonna in business. MacCaughan came around from third on Kuhlmann's RBI single, pushing the Crusaders in front 1-0. Kuhlmann finished 2-for-3 with the game's lone RBI, while Cramton accounted for one of Madonna's four hits with the key extra-base hit that set up the scoring chance.

Madonna's pitching staff preserved the slim margin from there. Starter Camille Oyer worked four scoreless innings, allowing five hits over 59 pitches. Anna Battagin handled the final three innings in relief and closed out the shutout, yielding just two hits across 33 pitches. Together, the Crusaders kept Central Methodist off the board despite repeated traffic on the bases.

The game stayed tight throughout as both teams played clean defense and neither committed an error. Central Methodist starter Haley Cotter kept Madonna quiet for 3 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, and Kinlei Boley threw the final 2 2/3 innings but was charged with the loss after surrendering the sixth-inning RBI single. Madonna drew four walks and left six runners on base in a game that lasted 1 hour, 30 minutes.

In the end, one swing was enough. Battagin finished the final three scoreless innings to lock down the 1-0 victory and send Madonna out of Fayette with a shutout win built on timely hitting and a composed effort in the circle.

The Crusaders now advance to the NAIA World Series that will begin on Thursday, May 21st in Columbus, Ga. Their game time and opponent will be announced in the coming days.