Site: Decatur, Ala. (Wilson Morgan Park)
Final Score: Oklahoma City University 6, Madonna University 4
NAIA National Championship
Records: MU 43-11, OKC 42-11
Next MU event: Monday, May 24 vs. Minot State University (Wilson Morgan Park), 10am EDT

BOX SCORE

DECATUR, Ala. (MadonnaCrusaders.com) - - After shutting out No. 9-ranked Oklahoma City University for six innings, a nightmare seventh that saw OKC score six runs - five of the unearned variety - spelled doom for the No. 23-ranked Madonna University softball team as the Crusaders suffered a heartbreaking 6-4 loss to the Stars in Pool H action at the 2010 NAIA Softball National Championship at Wilson Morgan Park.

The Crusaders (43-11) fall to 1-1 in pool play while the Stars (42-11) improved to 2-0 and remain the only undefeated team in the group that also features Concordia Irvine (0-1) and Minot State (0-1).

A quartet of Crusaders had base hits for MU as Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich./Jefferson), Hallie Minch (Garden City, Mich./Garden City), Brittney Scero (Canton, Mich./Canton) and Cat Sidor (Livonia, Mich./Churchill) all collected base knocks with Minch and Scero driving in a run each.

MU scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the second inning as Tara LaMilza (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina Catholic) and Erica Landess (Carleton, Mich./Airport) opened the frame by drawing back-to-back walks. Minch then delivered a single to right that scored LaMilza to make it 1-0. After a sacrifice bunt from Cox moved the runners up, a passed ball on ball four to Rachael Kethe (Lenox, Mich./Richmond/Western Michigan) allowed Landess to score and make it 2-0. Sidor then blooped in a single to center that scored Minch and a miscue in the Stars outfield allowed Kethe to score for a 4-0 MU lead.

Heading into the seventh, Crusader All-American Jess Irwin (Monroe, Mich./Monroe) had not allowed a runner passed first base but pinch-hitter Kendall Hobens led off the inning and caught the Crusader defense napping as she laid down a bunt single to put a runner on first. Irwin then hit her fourth batter of the day - Laurin Hess - to put two on with no one out. LeAnn Lopez then singled home Hobens to break up the shutout and make it 4-1. Jen Davis then struck out looking and Kelby Roberson grounded to Sidor at first for the second out but an error in an attempt to turn the double play allowed another run to score and make it 4-2.

The miscues continued on the next play a bobbled ball off the bat of All-American Amanda Howard to put runners at the corners. After a walk loaded the bases, Irwin (29-5) had Lily LaVelle down in an 0-2 hole but LaVelle connected on the next pitch and delivered a grand slam over the fence in left center to put OKC on top 6-4.

Winning pitcher Ashley Wilburn (15-3) sent MU down in order in the seventh as OKC dealt MU its first loss of the 2010 post season.

After an off-day on Sunday, the Crusaders close out pool play and the 2010 season with a 10am (EDT) game against Minot State on Monday (May 24).

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834