Madonna University Athletics

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Madonna showcased resilience, firepower, and championship composure on Sunday, splitting a dramatic two-game set with Indiana Tech and ultimately capturing the WHAC Tournament Championship to punch their ticket to the NAIA National Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

GAME 1:

In Game One, the Crusaders set the tone early, jumping out with a first-inning run with a homerun from Ty Stepek and staying within striking distance throughout a back-and-forth contest. Madonna's offense remained steady, plating runs in multiple innings while keeping pressure on Indiana Tech's pitching staff.
Trailing late, the Crusaders delivered one of their biggest moments of the day in the eighth inning. Down multiple runs, Madonna erupted for a four-run rally starting with another leadoff homerun by Stepek, followed by a two RBI single by Gus Simon, capped off by an RBI bunt single from Luke Spicer, to tie the game and shift momentum squarely in their favor.
However, Indiana Tech responded in the ninth with a decisive surge, pushing across four runs of their own to reclaim the lead. Despite collecting 11 hits and battling until the final out, Madonna fell just short in a 10-9 thriller.

GAME 2:

Game Two told a different story—and one that ended in celebration.

With the championship on the line, Madonna came out determined and never wavered. The Crusaders would find themselves down 5-0 after two innings but never gave in. In the fourth inning the Crusaders comeback was on as a Stepek double would bring across one run which was then followed by a huge Donovan Thompson three run homer to bring the score to 5-4 in favor still of the Warriors. After a big shutdown inning in the bottom of the fourth by Matthew Sevensma, the Crusaders comeback wouldn't stop there. A two RBI double from Spicer followed by a sacrifice fly from Stepek gave the Crusaders a 7-5 lead heading into the later innings.

Indiana Tech would bring just one run across in the sixth despite having two on with one out. Trey Acker would enter the game and force a huge double play to end the inning. From there it was all Crusaders as another Stepek double would bring across one run, followed by a Thompson single to bring the Crusaders lead to 9-6 in the 7th inning. From there it was shutdown pitching from Acker who would now allow another run to score bringing the final score to 9-6 Crusaders.

When the final out was secured, the celebration was on.

Madonna's victory in Game Two clinched the WHAC Tournament Championship, capping off a gritty, hard-fought day and securing an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament. The Crusaders' ability to respond, reset, and rise in the biggest moments defined their championship run.

From near heartbreak in Game One to triumph in Game Two, Madonna proved its championship mettle—finishing the day on top and carrying momentum into the national stage.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will await their National Tournament Bid. The NAIA selection show is on Wednesday, May 6th at 4:00 PM CST. The selection show can be found on the NAIA YouTube page.