Results

Site: Greeneville, Tenn.
Course: Link Hills Country Club (par 73)
Tournament: 2012 NAIA National Championships (Day Three)
MU Standing: 27 of 28 teams (344-354-337/1035)
Top MU Individual: Michelle Hall, TBA (85/80/79-244)
Next Event: 2012 Season Complete

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - - The first career hole-in-one from sophomore Kaitlyn Brasher (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc) highlighted the final day of the season for the Madonna University women's golf team as the Crusaders could not make the cut at the 2012 NAIA Women's Golf National Championships held at Link Hills Country Club.

Brasher hit a 7-wood off the tee at the par-3, 176-yard sixth hole and the ace was the first in the history of the Madonna program.

"I was kind of in shock when it went in," said Brasher after the round. "It was pretty exciting. I would not want to have (a hole-in-one) in any other tournament than at a National Championship."

Brasher turned in an 80, the second lowest round among the Crusaders. Her ace came following a birdie on the par-5 fifth hole.

Junior Michelle Hall (Flushing, Mich. / Flushing) led MU with a 79 with three birdies in her final round of the season. Freshman Chelsea Collura (Riverview, Mich. / Gabriel Richard Catholic) fired an 85 while classmate Becca Porter (Lambertville, Mich. / Bedford) and junior Megan Fleischer (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Marian Catholic) both shot rounds of 93 to round out the MU contingent.

The Crusaders close the 2012 season as champions of both the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular season and tournaments and after making the second appearance at the NAIA National Championships in program history.

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Box Score

Site: Gulf Shores, Ala. (Shores Sportsplex)
Score: No. 7 Oregon Tech 5, Madonna 2
Records: MU (33-13), OIT (40-7)
Next MU event: Friday, May 18 vs. No. 10 Shorter (Gulf Shores, Ala.) – 6:30 p.m. EDT

GULF SHORES, Ala. - - The Madonna University softball team led No. 7 and reigning national champion Oregon Tech for five innings but a four-run sixth inning by OIT proved too much to overcome as the Crusaders fell by a 5-2 final to open pool play at the 2012 NAIA National Championship on Thursday afternoon (May 17) at the Shores Sportsplex.

MU (33-13) was staked to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when junior shortstop Jackie Barley (Tipton, Mich. / Tecumseh) hit a two-run home run over the fence it left field that scored junior center fielder Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich. / Jefferson).

OIT (40-7) got one of those runs back in the top of the second when pitcher Taylor Schmidt took the first offering from MU senior righty Hallie Minch (Garden City, Mich. / Garden City) over the fence in left to make it 2-1.

Minch worked in and out of trouble over the next few innings while Schmidt was dealing, retiring 12 straight Crusaders at one point before surrendering a leadoff walk to Cox in the bottom of the sixth.

With one out in the top of the sixth, the Owls strung together three straight hits including a two-run homer by Janelle Cromie to take a 3-2 lead. Three more hits in the inning led to two more OIT runs and a 5-2 lead.

Following a Minch single in the second, the Crusaders could not register another hit off of Schmidt until the last of the seventh – a single by sophomore catcher Kristen Drabek (Newport, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) – and fell by the 5-2 final to sit at 0-1 in pool play.

Minch (14-10) took the loss for MU, throwing the first 5.2 innings and giving up all five runs in suffering her 10th setback of the season. Schmidt (26-4) earned the complete game victory, scattering four MU hits while striking out a like number and allowing just one walk for her 26th win of the season.

Barley, Cox, Drabek and Minch had MU's four hits with Barley driving in both runs. Sara Coates went 3-for-4 with a run scored for OIT. Cromie led the way for the Owls with two RBIs.

MU continues in its pool on Friday (May 18) in a 6:00 p.m. (EDT) game against No. 10 Shorter. MU defeated Shorter 4-0 on March 9 in Gulf Shores.

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Results

Site: Greeneville, Tenn.
Course: Link Hills Country Club (par 73)
Tournament: 2012 NAIA National Championships (Day Two)
MU Standing: 27 of 28 teams (344-354/698)
Top MU Individual: Michelle Hall, T-96 (85/80-165)
Next Event: Thursday, May 17 – NAIA National Championships (Greeneville, Tenn.)

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - - Junior Michelle Hall (Flushing, Mich. / Flushing) cut five shots off of her day one total to card an 80 on Wednesday (May 16) at the 2012 NAIA Women's Golf National Championship but the Madonna University women's team could not move up in the team standings, staying in 27th place after 36-holes at Link Hills Country Club.

The University of British Columbia leads the event with a 604 (305/299) team total while Savannah College of Art and Design's Nikki Stewart holds the individual lead with a 4-under par total of 142 after rounds of 73 and an staggering 69.

MU began day two at the 10th tee and Hall – who shot an 85 on day one – sank a birdie on the turn at No. 18 and played the "back" nine of her round at just 2-over par (39) for her 80 on the day to lead the Crusaders.

Freshman Chelsea Collura (Riverview, Mich. / Gabriel Richard Catholic) took two shots off of her opening round score to shoot an 85. Collura played the 10th-18th holes at just 3-over to aid her round.

Junior Megan Fleischer (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Marian Catholic) matched her day one effort with a 94 while sophomore Kaitlyn Brasher (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc) and freshman Becca Porter (Lambertville, Mich. / Bedford) shot matching rounds of 95 to close out the MU contingent.

The Crusaders play the third round of the national summit on Thursday (May 17) at Link Hills CC.

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Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

Results

Site: Greeneville, Tenn.
Course: Link Hills Country Club (par 73)
Tournament: 2012 NAIA National Championships (Day One)
MU Standing: 27 of 28 teams (344)
Top MU Individual: Kaitlyn Brasher, T-58 (79)
Next Event: Wednesday, May 16 – NAIA National Championships (Greeneville, Tenn.)

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - - The Madonna University women's golf team opened its second appearance in the NAIA National Championships in the last three seasons on Tuesday (May 15) and sophomore Kaitlyn Brasher (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc) led the Crusaders with 6-over par round of 79 at Link Hills Country Club.

The Crusaders sit in 27th place after a team total of 344.

Brasher posted a trio of birdies on the front nine, playing it in 1-over par 38 fashion before carding a 5-over 41 on the back for her 79 and a tie for 58th place.

Junior Michelle Hall (Flushing, Mich. / Flushing) shot an 85 to tie for 109th. Hall birdied the par-3 sixth on her front nine.Freshman Chelsea Collura (Riverview, Mich. / Gabriel Richard Catholic) was two shots behind Hall with an 87 and a tie for 117th. Classmate Becca Porter (Lambertville, Mich. / Bedford) is in 134th place after a 93 while junior Megan Fleischer (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Marian Catholic) carded a 94 to round out the MU contingent.

MU returns to the course on Wednesday (May 16) with another 18 holes.

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PLYMOUTH, Mich. - - A total of 57 Crusader student-athletes and one staff member received their degrees last weekend at the 2012 Madonna University Commencement held at Compuware Arena.

Those honored included:
July 2011 Graduates
Master's Degree
Kathryn Day (SB)

Bachelor's Degree
Liz Dempsey (VB)
Tim Duffy (BSB)
Rachael Kethe (SB)
Tarik Khasawneh (BSB)
Jillian Kloc (WG)
Jeff Mann (BSB)
Ellen O'Rear (WS)
Nick Plinka (BSB)
Sarah Rokuski (WS)
Mary McGinnis (VB)
Caitlin Steele (WG)
Justin Taurence (MG)
Ted Toune (BSB)

December 2011 Graduates
Bachelor's Degree
Adam Bailey (BSB)
Chelsea Bathurst (WG)
DJ Bridges (MBB)
Anna-Marie Gatt (VB)
Chelsea Gregg (WS)
Sheryl Jager (WBB)
Katie Kozlowski (WS)
Brett Quitiquit (MG)
Tabatha Wydryck (WBB)
Cassie Yarnall (WXC)

April 2012
Bachelor's Degree
Karie Altman (VB)
Daniel Amaya (MS)
Emily Bambach (WXC)
Dominic Benavides (BSB)
Trisha Bender (WS)
Steve Besk (MS)
Katie Boomgaard (SB)
Diana Brda (WS)
Vince Carango (MG)
Neal Card (MS)
Dave Cardenas (BSB/MXC)
Mitch Cieslak (MBB/MXC)
Tom Hansen (BSB)
Billy Hardin III (BSB)
Gordon Hyde (MBB)
Mike Jacques (BSB)
Brynn Kerr (VB)
Kelly Lesko (SB)
Sean Maher (BSB)
Katie Martin (WBB)
Andy Omilian (BSB)
Lauren Putnam (WXC)
Garrett Rebain (BSB)
Jacob Rosiek (MS)
Ashley Shay (SB)
Austin Stillman (MG)
Amanda Straub (SB)
Ryan Waidmann (MBB)

July 2012 Graduates
Bachelor's Degree
Lauren Bann (VB)
Chris Collias (BSB - Assistant Coach)
Dan Harder (BSB)
Mustapha Olorunnimbe (MS)
Josh Regits (BSB)
Chelsea Shrewsbury (WS)
Chris Skalski (BSB)

Team Codes – BSB = Baseball, SB = Softball, MS = Men's Soccer, WS = Women's Soccer, MXC = Men's Cross Country, WXC = Women's Cross Country, MBB = Men's Basketball, WBB = Women's Basketball, MG = Men's Golf, WG = Women's Golf, VB = Volleyball

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CoSIDA Release

TOWSON, Md. - - The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) have announced the organization's Capital One Academic All-District Teams and a pair of Madonna University juniors – infielder Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) and outfielder Steve Pelletier (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Harrison) were among the 10 student-athletes selected to the College Division District 3 Baseball First Team.

The duo was selected from nominated student-athletes hailing from universities and colleges in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois and now moves on to the national ballot from which the three Capital One Academic All-America teams will be chosen later this month.

Lineberry – despite missing a month of the season with a back injury – hit .250 with seven home runs, six doubles and six stolen bases overall. In Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play, the criminal justice major hit .326 with four doubles to go along with five of his home runs.

A two-time All-WHAC honoree and a business administration major, Pelletier led MU during league play with a .364 average, seven doubles and 24 runs batted in. Overall Pelletier posted a .359 average with 10 doubles, two triples and 17 stolen bases while missing over a dozen games with a shoulder injury.

Both Lineberry and Pelletier were named to the Academic All-WHAC team last week as well.

To be eligible for the Capital One Academic All-America Team, a student-athlete must be nominated by their school's sports information director as well as be a starter of key reserve, a sophomore academically and athletically as well as possess a 3.3 GPA or higher.

Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.

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CoSIDA Release

TOWSON, Md. - - The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) have announced the organization's Capital One Academic All-District Teams and Madonna University sophomore infielder Gina Sykes (Livonia, Mich. / Ladywood Catholic) was one of 15 student-athletes selected to the District 3 First Team.

Sykes was selected from nominated student-athletes from Michigan, Indiana and Illinois and now moves on to the national ballot from which the Capital One Academic All-America teams will be chosen.

A biology and pre-pharmacy major, Sykes has posted a .250 average in 25 games this season with a double, a home run and eight runs batted in. She has fielded at a .948 clip, seeing time at both second and third base for the Crusaders.

To be eligible for the Capital One Academic All-America Team, a student-athlete must be nominated by their school's sports information director as well as be a starter of key reserve, a sophomore academically and athletically as well as possess a 3.3 GPA or higher.

Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.

The Crusaders won the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles to advance to the NAIA National Championship for the third time in the last four seasons.

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WHAC release

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - - A total of 10 Madonna University baseball student-athletes were honored by the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) coaches with selections to the WHAC award teams following the annual league championship. Headlining the Madonna group were first team all-conference selections Jeremy Gooding (Livonia, Mich. / Divine Child Catholic) and Dan Harder (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton).

A three-time All-WHAC first team selection, Gooding led the league with a 1.58 earned run average during a season when he became the all-time wins and strikeouts leader in Madonna baseball history. The junior righty struck out a team-best 81 hitters in 91.1 innings of work while allowing just 16 earned runs this season.

A senior outfielder, Harder saved his best season for last as he led MU in nearly every offensive category, posting a team-best .383 batting average with eight home runs and 36 runs batted in to go along with 22 stolen bases in earning his first selection to the WHAC's top team.

Junior righty Matthew Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary), junior first baseman Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) and junior outfielder Steve Pelletier (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Harrison) were selected to the All-WHAC honorable mention team.

Cook contributed on both sides of the ball, posting a 2.55 ERA in 88.1 innings on the mound, striking out 69 batters. At the plate Cook hit .264 with 26 RBIs, 10 doubles and two home runs. Lineberry – despite missing a month of the season with a back injury – hit .250 with seven home runs, six doubles and six stolen bases overall. In league play he hit .326 with four doubles to go along with five of his home runs. Pelletier led MU during league play with a .364 average, seven doubles and 24 runs batted in. Overall Pelletier posted a .359 average with 10 doubles, two triples and 17 stolen bases while missing over a dozen games with a shoulder injury.

Sophomore catcher Donny Holland (White Lake, Mich. / Lakeland) was joined on the WHAC Gold Glove Team presented by Rawlings by Harder and Pelletier. Both Harder and Pelletier posted perfect 1.000 fielding percentages while Holland had a .992 percentage and made 31 assists. Pelletier led the MU outfielders with four assists.

Pelletier was also named to the WHAC's Champions of Character team for the second straight season as the MU student-athlete who best displays the NAIA's Five Core Values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship on and off the field.

In addition, a total of seven Crusaders – junior infielder Tyler Cotter (Livonia, Mich. / Churchill), senior Garrett Rebain (Plymouth, Mich. / Plymouth), redshirt sophomore pitcher Tyler Schofield (Windsor, Ontario / F.J. Brennan), junior pitcher Erik Wright (Canton, Mich. / Canton) along with Cook, Holland, Lineberry and Pelletier – were named to the Academic All-WHAC team. To be selected, a student-athlete must be a junior or senior academically and have a 3.25 grade point average or higher.

MU ended the season at 35-21 and made an appearance in the WHAC Championship semi-finals.

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WHAC release

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - - Headlined by Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Player of the Year Jackie Barley (Tipton, Mich. / Tecumseh), a total of seven Crusaders were honored by the WHAC Softball Coaches on the various WHAC award teams following the conference championship.

Barley led four Crusaders – junior outfielder Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich. / Jefferson), sophomore first baseman Erin Mayes (Monroe, Mich. / Ida) and freshman pitcher Angela Pavilanis (New Boston, Mich. / Flat Rock) – on the All-WHAC first team while sophomore catcher / designated player Caitlyn Keuvelaar (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) was named to the league's honorable mention team. The selections mark the second straight year Barley and Mayes have earned first team honors while Cox, Pavilanis and Keuvelaar were honored for the first time in their careers.

Barley led the Crusaders in nearly every statistical category following, posting a .403 average, 15 doubles, four home runs and 39 runs batted in. She fielded at a .950 clip while slugging .611.

Cox was firmly planted in the leadoff spot in the MU line up from the outset this season and posted a .364 average with eight doubles and a team-best nine stolen bases. Mayes provided power in the middle of the Crusaders' batting order, banging out a team-best six home runs thus far while slugging .540 and making 265 putouts at first base. Pavilanis stepped into the MU rotation this season as a freshman and was dominant, going 17-3 with a 1.21 earned run average in 25 appearances. She posted 16 complete games with 82 strikeouts. In WHAC play she posted a 0.90 ERA in 46.2 innings while going 6-1. Keuvelaar ranked fourth on the team with a .326 average, hitting five homers while driving in 38 runs.

Senior Kiley Thornton (Ida, Mich. / Ida) was a two-time honoree, earning academic all-conference honors as well as a selection to the WHAC's Champions of Character team as the student-athlete who best displays the NAIA's Five Core Values of respect, responsibility, servant leadership, integrity and sportsmanship.

Joining Thornton on the all-academic team was junior outfielder Amber Rafko (Monroe, Mich. / Monroe) and Cox. To be selected to the academic team, a student-athlete must be a junior or senior and have a 3.25 grade point average or higher.

The Crusaders won both the WHAC regular season and tournament championships and have advanced to the NAIA National Championship slated for May 17-22 in Gulf Shores, Ala.

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Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

Box Scores – Game One | Game Two

Site: Battle Creek, Mich. (Bailey Park)
Score: Madonna 1, Davenport 0 (8 innings)
Score: Madonna 4, Aquinas 2
Records: MU (33-12), DU (33-15-1), AQ (30-22-1)
Next MU event: NAIA National Championship – May 17 (Gulf Shores, Ala.) - TBA

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - - The Madonna University softball team captured its third Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in the last three seasons on Friday (May 4) by upsetting top-seeded Davenport University 1-0 in eight innings before downing Aquinas College 4-2 to win the title.

MU now advances to its fourth national summit in program history, slated for May 17-23 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex in Gulf Shores, Ala. The NAIA National Office will announce the selections for the national championship in the coming days along with pool play selections.

Aquinas - WHAC FINAL
The Madonna offense got the bottom of the first started with a bang as junior center fielder Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich. / Jefferson) took the first pitch she saw over the wall in right field to stake MU to a 1-0 lead.

The Crusaders' lead grew to 2-0 in the bottom of the third when Cox led off with a single then stole second and came home on a RBI double to center by junior shortstop Jackie Barley (Tipton, Mich. / Tecumseh) that plated the second run of the game.

MU held its lead until AQ used back-to-back infield base hits with one out in the top of the fifth before MU freshman Angela Pavilanis (New Boston, Mich. / Flat Rock) got a ground out for the second out. Renae Tubergen then stroked a single through the right side that scored both runners and pulled AQ even at 2-2.

After going down in order in the bottom of the fifth, the MU defense stepped up in the top of the sixth as both sophomore first baseman Erin Mayes (Monroe, Mich. / Ida) and Pavilanis made stops on line drives and get Madonna back up to the plate.

Senior outfielder Hallie Minch (Garden City, Mich. / Garden City) reached on a one-out walk before moving to second on a single by Pavilanis. Both runners moved up on a single by junior outfielder Amber Rafko (Monroe, Mich. / Monroe) that was misplayed by AQ and allowed Minch to score the go-ahead run. Freshman Kasey Trierweiler (Grand Ledge, Mich. / Grand Ledge) delivered a sacrifice fly to left that scored Pavilanis and give MU a 4-2 lead heading to the seventh.

Minch came in for her second save opportunity of the season and after allowing a pair of base hits with one out, got Lindsey Stewart to fly out to center before getting Tubergen to go down on strikes on three straight pitches to send the Crusaders on to the National Tournament.

Pavilanis (17-3) earned the win, throwing the first six innings, not walking a batter in scattering eight hits as AQ out-hit MU 10-7. Minch allowed two hits but posted her second save of the season throwing the seventh. Ashley White (4-11) took the loss for AQ, giving up all four MU runs.

Cox and Rafko both had a pair of hits for the Crusaders in the title clinching win while Taylor Turcott had three base hits for AQ in the loss.

Davenport - WInners' Bracket Game
Missed opportunities was the story of the day in MU's game against Davenport – as 16 runners were left on base – in a game that took eight innings to decide with MU coming out on top 1-0 to send the Crusaders into the Tournament Championship.

Both MU's Minch and DU's Sam Cole were effective as the Crusaders left runners on base in the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings while the Panthers stranded runners in the first, third, fourth, fifth and seventh innings. DU left the bases loaded in the fifth as Minch induced Ali Dawson to hit a ground ball to second that turned into a force play at the plate before getting Liz Veltman to ground out to third to end the inning.

After seven scoreless innings, the game headed to the eighth and MU wasted little time in scoring the game's only run as sophomore catcher Kristin Drabek (Newport, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) reached on a one-out walk. Drabek moved to third on a double by Mayes that just missed going over the wall in left center for a home run. Sophomore designated player Caitlyn Keuvelarr (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) then singled home Drabek to give MU a 1-0 lead.

Minch came out for the bottom of the eighth and sent DU down in order in the frame, getting a strikeout and a pair of ground outs to send MU on in the winners' bracket.

Cox, Keuvelaar and Mayes each had two hits for MU while Amber Getty had three of DU's five hits in the game.

Minch (14-9) earned her 14th win of the season, striking out four while scattering five hits. Cole (21-10) took the loss for DU, giving up nine hits while striking out three in the setback.

Notes - Mayes led MU with a .444 average in the four games and had seven RBIs ... Minch posted a 0.47 ERA in her 15 innings of work in the last two days ... MInch posted a 2-0 mark with a save and is the lone Crusader to be making her third trip to the NAIA National Championship ... MU outscored its opponents 19-4 and held an 8-2 lead in extra base hits ... 

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Box Scores – SHU | AQ

Site: Battle Creek, Mich. (Bailey Park)
Score: Madonna 12, Siena Heights 1 (6 innings)
Score: Madonna 2, Aquinas 1
Records: MU (35-19), SHU (27-28-1), AQ (27-21-1)
Next MU event: Friday, May 4 – vs. No. 1 Davenport (Battle Creek, Mich.), 1 p.m.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich.  - - The Madonna University softball team used seven RBIs from sophomore Erin Mayes (Monroe, Mich. / Ida) in a 12-1 win over No. 7 seed Siena Heights University to open the 2012 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship. Mayes then came around to score the game-winning run on a walk-off-hit by senior Hallie Minch (Garden City, Mich. / Garden City) in MU's 2-1 win over No. 3 Aquinas College in the night cap to advance in the winners' bracket at Bailey Park on Thursday (May 3).

Siena Heights
A leadoff double to left field from junior Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich. / Jefferson) got MU going to open the game.  Sophomore Kristen Drabek (Newport, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) had a single to score Cox from second with no outs and junior Jackie Barley singled to right field to score Drabek and giving MU a 2-0 lead after one inning.

Freshman Kasey Trierweiler (Grand Ledge, Mich. / Grand Ledge) hit her second home run of the year to right field to open the bottom of the second inning giving MU a 3-0 lead.

SHU answered back in the top of the fourth inning with a homerun from Tearra Donovan. The run would stand as the only one for SHU in the game.

Base hits from Cox and Barley opened the bottom of the fourth inning for MU before Mayes homered to center to give MU a 6-1 lead after five innings.

The Crusaders kept their offense going into the sixth inning with a leadoff single from Trierweiler. Amber Rafko (Monroe, Mich. / Monroe), Carlee Meek (Linden, Mich. / Lakeland) and Cox all drew walks to score a run and load the bases with no outs.  Drabek singled to left field to score Rafko, and Mayes ended the game with a grand slam to right field to run-rule the Saints, 12-1.

Minch struck out six batters, issuing only one walk and scattering three hits, as she improved to a record of13-9 on the year.

Katie O'Hotzke took the loss for SHU falling to a record of 11-14 on the year.

Aquinas
After 13 combined runs in game one, game two was the polar opposite as MU prevailed 2-1.

Aquinas opened the game with a run thanks to a Madonna miscue to take an early lead of 1-0 in the top of the first inning.

MU quickly responded with a walk by Mayes to lead off the inning followed by classmate Caitlyn Keuvelaar (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) singling to center to give MU runners on first and second with no outs. Freshman Karleigh Creighton (Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington) came in to run for Mayes before freshman pitcher Angela Pavilanis (New Boston, Mich. / Flat Rock) singled to score Creighton tying the game at 1-1.

Hitting went cold for both teams until the bottom of the seventh inning. MU led off with a walk to Mayes before Keuvelaar laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Mayes to second base with only one out. Minch then connected on a walk-off double to left center scoring Mayes and securing the win over Aquinas 2-1.

Pavilanis walked away with the win for the Crusaders improving her record to 16-3, as she let up only two hits in her seven innings of work.

Ashley White took the loss for AQ falling to 4-10 on the season.

MU will now take on the No. 1 seed Davenport at 1 p.m. tomorrow. That game time could be delayed due to bad weather in Battle Creek. The third round games that had been slated for 8:30 p.m. are now scheduled for 12 p.m.

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Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

Box Scores – Game One | Game Two

Site: Adrian, Mich. (SHU Baseball Field)
Score: Siena Heights 7, Madonna 3
Score: Indiana Tech 2, Madonna 1 (10 innings)
Records: MU (35-21), SHU  (30-26), IT (39-19)
Next MU event: Season Complete

ADRIAN, Mich. - - The Madonna University baseball team saw its 2012 season come to an end on Thursday afternoon (May 3) with a 2-1 loss to top-seed Indiana Tech in walk-off fashion in 10 innings. No. 3 seed MU dropped the day's opener to host and No. 5 seed Siena Heights University 7-3 at the SHU Baseball Field.

The Crusaders close the season at 35-21 overall, the program's eighth straight winning season.

Siena Heights
The day's opener was one sided early as SHU's Jake Sperry no-hit MU through the first four innings after his team staked him to a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth. The Saints used a single followed by a hit batter and a double by Brett Howard to plate a pair of runs. Josh Vandercook hit SHU's second double of the inning to make it 3-0.

MU got a run back in the bottom of the fifth on a RBI ground out by junior outfielder Josh Deeg (Lake Orion, Mich. / Lake Orion) to pull Madonna to within two, 3-1.

SHU added another run in the top of the seventh to take a 4-1 lead and tacked on a fifth run in the top of the eighth to make it 5-1.

The Crusaders rallied for a pair of runs with two outs to make it a 5-3 game in the bottom of the eighth. Junior Tyler Cotter (Livonia, Mich. / Churchill) got the rally started with a walk and senior Billy Hardin III (Livonia, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) kept the inning alive with a pinch hit single to center to put two on. Junior first baseman Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) followed with a single to load the bases for junior outfielder Steve Pelletier (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Harrison) who singled up the middle to score a pair and make it 5-3.

The momentum was short lived as SHU got a two-run homer from Josh White in the top of the ninth to seal up the 7-3 win.

Sperry (6-3) went the first 7.2 innings to earn the win for the Saints. Sperry struck out three while scattering five hits. Junior Matthew Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary) took the loss for MU, giving up three earned runs over his seven innings of work.

Pelletier drove in a pair of runs while seven different Crusaders posted hits. Mike Lollow, Dan Abbot, White and Howard each posted a pair of hits for the Saints.
 

Indiana Tech
Following the morning loss, the Crusaders faced off with Indiana Tech in a win-or-go-home game and came out on the wrong end of a 2-1 walk-off loss in 10 innings.

The game was a classic pitchers' duel between MU sophomore lefty Aaron Saarela (Commerce, Mich. / Lakeland) and IT senior Eric Zagone. Saarela took a no-hitter into the fifth inning while Zagone kept MU off the board for six full innings. Saarela struck out eight while walking just two and gave up just one run in his 7.2 innings of work. Zagone was nearly even with Saarela, striking out six while walking one in eight innings of work.

Indiana Tech got on the board in the bottom of the sixth, using a Jake Owens sacrifice fly to center that scored Reinaldo Scott to give Tech a 1-0 lead.

MU answered back with a run in the top of the eighth on a pinch hit RBI double by sophomore Victor Barron (Fowlerville, Mich. / Fowlerville) that scored junior outfielder Jeff Beckles (Southfield, Mich. / Lathrup) from third to tie the game at one.

The two sides then turned the game over to their respective bullpens and MU senior Andy Omilian (Plymouth, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) and Tech's Aaron Lewellyn both worked in and out of trouble with Omilian getting a double play ball to end the ninth and send the game to the 10th.

After a scoreless top half of the 10th for MU, Tech loaded the bases with one way before a walk forced in the game winning run to send Tech into Friday's championship game against SHU.

Omilian suffered his first loss of the season while Lewlellyn earned the win, throwing two scoreless innings.

Pelletier led MU with three hits while Craig Hermann had two hits for Tech.

The Crusaders bid goodbye to five seniors: Drew Adamiec (Walled Lake, Mich. / Central), Dan Harder (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton), Garrett Rebain (Plymouth, Mich. / Plymouth), Hardin III and Omilian.

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Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

Box Score

Site: Adrian, Mich. (SHU Baseball Field)
Score: Madonna 8, Davenport 1
Records: MU (35-19), DU (34-17)
Next MU event: Thursday, May 3 – at Siena Heights (Adrian, Mich.), 10 a.m.

ADRIAN, Mich.  - - Madonna University All-American Jeremy Gooding (Livonia, Mich. / Divine Child Catholic) etched his name further into the MU record books on Wednesday afternoon (May 2) as the junior righty recorded six strikeouts to break the all-time record at Madonna with his 239th career strikeout as the Crusaders upset No. 2 seed Davenport University 8-1 in the opening round of the 2012 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Baseball Championship at the Siena Heights Baseball Field.

Gooding needed six strikeouts to break the record and got just enough to pass Will Kennedy's (2005-08) all-time mark of 238.

The Crusaders got on the board in the top of the first without registering a hit with walks to sophomore catcher Donny Holland (White Lake, Mich. / Lakeland) and junior left fielder Steve Pelletier (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Harrison) wrapped around junior first baseman Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) being hit by a pitch to load the bases with no one out. Senior center fielder Dan Harder (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton) plated senior Drew Adamiec (Walled Lake, Mich. / Central) – who was running for Holland – with a sacrifice fly to center for a 1-0 lead.

DU tied the game in the bottom of the third with two outs when Eric Cummings used a single to center that scored Drew Kennedy to make it 1-1.

MU retook the lead in the fourth, scoring three times to take a 4-1 lead. Junior right fielder Josh Deeg (Lake Orion, Mich. / Lake Orion) led the frame off with a single and moved to third on a single through the right side by junior second baseman Tyler Cotter (Livonia, Mich. / Churchill). Holland then delivered a double that cleared the bases and gave MU a 3-1 lead. Pelletier doubled with two outs to score Adamiec for the 4-1 lead.

Gooding got help from his defense in the fourth as the Crusaders turned a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

The Crusaders scored a single run in the sixth when Pelletier singled home Adamiec again for a 5-1 lead. MU added three more runs to put the game away in the seventh, starting with a RBI double from Deeg that made it 6-1. Junior third baseman Spencer Sarel (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton) followed by singling home sophomore Ryan Lech (Macomb, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North) to make it 7-1 before a sacrifice fly by Cotter plated the eight MU run.

Gooding stranded three runners in the seventh, getting a pop out and a strikeout to tie the all-time mark in ending the seventh before striking out the final batter he faced in the eighth to break Kennedy's career mark.

Gooding went the first eight, scattering seven hits while walking three in picking up his seventh win of the season. Junior Randall Stempek (Hartland, Mich. / Hartland) worked around a hit in the ninth to close out the game and send the Crusaders on in the winner's bracket.

Pelletier led MU with three hits while Harder and Deeg posted a pair of hits each. Holland and Pelletier each drove in two runs as well.

Jordan Anderson (7-2) took the loss for DU, giving up four runs on six hits in his four innings of work. Kennedy led DU with four hits while Cummings posted three hits and a RBI.

MU moves on to face No. 5 seed and host Siena Heights on Thursday (May 3) at 10 a.m.

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Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

WHAC release

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - - The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) office announced today that Madonna University's Vince Carango (Lawton, Mich. / Lawton) has been named the Men's Golfer of the Week for the period ending May 1.

A senior, Carango led the field at the 2012 WHAC Championship, posting scores of 78, 72 and 79 to claim first place individually and help the Crusaders to the team title. His round of 72 was the lowest score of day one and the second lowest of the three-round event.

Carango and the Crusaders earned the league's automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships on May 22-25 in Salem, Ore.

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WHAC Release

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - - For the second straight week, the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) office honored Madonna University senior Hallie Minch with one of the league's weekly honors. After being named the WHAC Pitcher of the Week just seven days ago, Minch earned Player of the Week honors on Monday (April 30) for her performances in MU's double header sweep of Indiana Tech that helped the Crusaders capture a share of their fourth WHAC regular season title in the last five seasons.

Minch posted a .667 batting average with a 1.667 slugging percentage in the sweep of the Warriors. The pitcher / first baseman hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning of game one that was the big blow in a five-run frame for the Crusaders in an 8-0 win. Minch later drove in the eight run of the game for MU in the bottom of the fifth to cap the run-rule victory. Minch threw a complete game in the circle in the day's opener, striking out seven and scattering four hits in her 12th win of the season. In game two Minch walked twice and scored a pair of runs in another 8-0 victory.

MU – which tied with Davenport for the regular season title – opens WHAC Tournament play on Thursday (May 3), as the No. 2 seed, taking on No. 7 seed Siena Heights in a 3 p.m. contest at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.

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Box Scores – Game One | Game Two

Site: Livonia, Mich. (University Field)
Score: Madonna 8, Indiana Tech 0 (5 innings)
Score: Madonna 8, Indiana Tech 0 (6 innings)
Records: MU (29-12, 11-3 WHAC), IT (24-32, 6-8 WHAC)
Next MU event: Monday, April 1 – vs. Davenport (University Field) – 3 p.m.

LIVONIA, Mich. - - The Madonna University sent its 2012 senior class – Hallie Minch (Garden City, Mich. / Garden City) and Kiley Thornton (Ida, Mich. / Ida) – out conference champions on Sunday afternoon (April 29) as the Crusaders swept Indiana Tech by matching 8-0 finals to clinch a share of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular season championship for the fourth time in the last five years.

Minch and Thornton were honored for their contributions and dedication to the program during their careers in a ceremony between games of the double header at University Field.

With the victories, MU wrapped up the conference season at 11-3 and in a tie with Davenport for the conference crown.

Game One
MU jumped out to a 5-0 lead after one inning as the first four hitters reached base including a two-RBI double by junior shortstop Jackie Barley (Tipton, Mich. / Tecumseh) that put MU on top 2-0. Two batters later Minch stepped to the plate and hit a three-run home run - her first long ball of the season – to left center to give the home side a five-run cushion.

Neither side got much offense going again until the bottom of the fifth for MU as the Crusaders scored three more times for the run-rule victory.

Junior center fielder Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich. / Jefferson) led the inning off by reaching on a Warrior miscue. Another Warrior error allowed both freshman second baseman Kasey Trierweiler (Grand Ledge, Mich. / Grand Ledge) and Cox to be safe with no one out. Barley then singled through the left side to load the bases for sophomore first baseman Erin Mayes (Ida, Mich. / Ida). Mayes singled up the middle to plate a pair and move Barley to third with one out. Minch then came up and delivered a sacrifice fly to left that scored Barley for the 8-0 victory.

Minch(12-9) led MU on both sides of the ball in the day's opener, throwing a complete game, striking out seven while not allowing a run and scattering four hits for her 12th win of the season. She also went 1-for-2 at the plate and drove in four runs in the win. Barley and Mayes each posted a pair of hits and two RBIs in the win as well.

Sam Berrios took the loss for Tech, giving up all eight MU runs to fall to 14-16 on the year.

Game Two
The Crusaders' offense waited until the second inning to get on the board in the nightcap, scoring three times with two outs in the second frame to take a 3-0 lead.

Minch reached on a walk and freshman pitcher Angela Pavilanis (New Boston, Mich. / Flat Rock) followed Minch by reaching on an error to put two on. Junior outfielder Amber Rafko (Monroe, Mich. / Monroe) then stepped in and cranked a three-run homer to straight away center field to give the home side a 3-0 lead.

MU added four more runs in the third as sophomore left fielder Kristen Drabek (Newport, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) opened the inning with a home run to left center that gave MU a 4-0 lead. Sophomore catcher Caitlyn Keuvelaar (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) connected on a two-run homer of her own two batters later that scored Mayes to make it 6-0. Two batters after Keuvellar's blast Pavilanis doubled home Minch for the 7-0 lead after three innings.

The Crusaders ended the game in the last of the sixth as sophomore second baseman Gina Sykes (Livonia, Mich. / Ladywood Catholic) led the inning off by reaching on an error and moved second on a Cox single before coming home on Thornton's single into shallow right for the eighth MU run and another 8-0 run-rule win.

Pavilanis (15-3) threw a complete game, scattering four hits and striking out four while not allowing a walk in earning her 15th win of the season. Nine different Crusaders posted hits with Drabek, Keuvelaar and Rafko connecting on home runs in the victory.

Tiffany Vance (2-2) suffered the loss for Tech, giving up seven runs in her three innings of work. Jessica Cotton led IT with two hits in the finale.

The Crusaders close out the regular season on Monday (April 30), hosting Davenport in a non-league double header at 3 p.m.

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Box Scores – Game One | Game Two

Site: Livonia, Mich. (Ilitch Ballpark)
Score: Madonna 9, Northwestern Ohio 5
Score: Northwestern Ohio 9, Madonna 7
Records: MU (34-19, 18-10 WHAC), UNOH (31-21, 15-13 WHAC)
Next MU event: Wednesday, May 2 – vs. TBA (Adrian, Mich.) – TBA

LIVONIA, Mich. - - The Madonna University baseball program paused to honor its 2012 senior class on Saturday afternoon (April 28) after its game one victory over the University of Northwestern Ohio. MU won game one 9-5 to win the series before dropping the night cap by a 9-7 final.

The Crusaders honored their seniors – Drew Adamiec (Walled Lake, Mich. / Central), Dan Harder (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton), Billy Hardin III (Livonia, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central), Andy Omilian (Plymouth, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) and Garrett Rebain (Plymouth, Mich. / Plymouth) – for the group's dedication and service to the MU program that has seen the five post 190 victories, four Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference championships and two trips to the NAIA National Tournament.

Game One
With the four senior position players batting in the top four slots in the batting order, the Crusaders plated a pair of runs in the top of the second to take the game's first lead. Harder reached on a Racer miscue and after stealing second, came home on a RBI single by junior outfielder Steve Pelletier (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Harrison) to give MU a 1-0 lead. The lead grew to 2-0 when Pelletier came home on a single up the middle by junior outfielder Jeff Beckles (Southfield, Mich. / Lathrup).

MU tacked on two more runs in the top of the third as Adamiec led off with a double to left center and junior courtesy runner Tyler Cotter (Livonia, Mich. / Churchill) came around to score on a Harder single through the left side to make it 3-0. Hardin III – who had earlier reached on a walk – came in to score on a RBI ground ball by Pelletier for a 4-0 edge.

UNOH got three runs back in the bottom of the third, as after a ground out to open the inning, the next four Racers reached base with Kevin Cyrus delivering the big blow, a three-run double to the gap in left center to make it a one-run game, 4-3.

After a scoreless fourth by both sides, Madonna added two runs in the top of the fifth with two outs as Harder singled to center and moved to second and third on wild pitches. Sophomore shortstop Victor Barron (Fowlerville, Mich. / Fowlerville) drew a walk and both runners came home on a two-run double by Pelletier that made it 6-3.

The Crusaders increased their lead to 9-3 in the top of the sixth with Harder delivering a RBI single and Barron connecting on a two-run double that plated runs eight and nine for MU.

UNOH got to sophomore reliever Aaron Saarela (Commerce, Mich. / Lakeland) for a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth after a pair of MU errors extended the inning and made it a 9-5 game.

Neither offense could push another run across in the seventh or eighth and junior right Austin Delmotte worked around a walk in the bottom of the ninth to close out the game in his second appearance of the season following Tommy John surgery. Delmotte recorded a strikeout in his inning of work.

Saarela (4-5) earned his fourth win of the season in relief of junior righty Josh Deeg (Lake Orion, Mich. / Lake Orion). Saarela threw four innings, scattering three hits while striking out a pair and not allowing an earned run. Deeg went the first four innings, scattering four UNOH hits and striking out three batters. Ryan Burns (1-1) took the loss for UNOH, giving up six runs on seven hits in his first loss of the season.

Harder went 3-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs while Pelletier matched Harder's effort at the plate, posting a pair of doubles among his three hits while driving in five runs. Ben Smith had two hits for UNOH while Cyrus led the way with three RBIs.

Game Two
The Crusaders looked to close out the series sweep and took an early lead in that effort, plating a single run in both the second and third innings to hold a 2-0 lead after three complete. Barron singled to lead off the second and after stealing second base, came home on a single by sophomore second baseman Ryan Lech (Macomb, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North) to give MU a 1-0 lead. The lead grew to 2-0 in the third when Harder delivered a sacrifice fly to center that plated Rebain with the second run of the game.

UNOH cut the lead in half in the top of the fourth as three straight Racers reached base with one away and Chris Bell singled home Cyrus to make it 2-1. MU junior starter Josh Vandemark (Hicksville, Ohio / Hicksville) got out of the jam with a 6-3 double play to end the inning and keep MU on top by a run.

The Crusaders came back with three runs in the bottom of the inning with sophomore catcher Donny Holland (White Lake, Mich. / Lakeland) driving in junior third baseman Spencer Sarel (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton) with a single that made it 3-1 before Rebain hit a two-run double down the left field line that plated freshman outfielder Daniel Campos (Mississauga, Ontario / The Woodlands School) and Cotter for a 5-1 lead.

The Racers punched back with two runs in the top of the fifth with Ben Smith delivering a sacrifice fly to left before a Crusader miscue allowed another run to score and make it a 5-3 game.

MU made it 6-3 in the bottom of the fifth with Sarel driving in Harder on a single up the middle with the sixth MU run but the Crusaders could not push another run across, leaving the bases loaded.

After a scoreless sixth, junior righty Randall Stempek (Hartland, Mich. / Hartland) came in for the seventh to try and close the game out. UNOH had other plans, however, as the first four Racers in the inning reached base and a total of 10 Racers batted in the inning. UNOH scored six runs on seven hits to take a 9-6 lead.

The Crusaders made an attempt at a two-out rally as Pelletier came home on a ground out by Sarel but Juan Espinosa got the final out of the game to cap the Racers' comeback in the 9-7 victory.

Tyler Eaton (1-2) earned the win for UNOH throwing two innings of relief, striking out two while allowing a run for his first win of the season. Espinosa picked up his first save of the season, recording the final two outs of the game on six pitches. Stempek (2-1) took the loss for MU, giving up four runs on four hits without recording an out for his first loss of the season.

Cesar Loiz led UNOH with three hits while Ben Schubert, Jordan Crowell, Fabian Placencia and Cyrus all had two hits as the Racers out-hit the Crusaders 15-9 in the win. Sarel had three hits for MU while Rebain drove in two in the setback.

MU closes the regular season at 34-19 and an 18-10 mark in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). The Crusaders now prep for the 2012 WHAC Championship, slated to begin on Wednesday at the SHU Baseball Field in Adrian. Playoff parings and game times will be released by the WHAC office on Sunday evening.

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Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

Box Scores – Game One | Game Two

Site: Livonia, Mich. (Ilitch Ballpark)
Score: Madonna 11, Northwestern Ohio 1 (8 innings)
Score: Madonna 6, Northwestern Ohio 5 (10 innings)
Records: MU (33-18, 17-9 WHAC), UNOH (30-20, 14-12 WHAC)
Next MU event: Saturday, April 28 – vs. Northwestern Ohio (Ilitch Ballpark), 1 p.m.

LIVONIA, Mich. - - On a day where the Madonna University tallied a sweep of its double header against the University of Northwestern Ohio, head coach Greg Haeger joined an exclusive club in the coaching fraternity with his 500th career victory in game two, a 6-5 MU win in 10 innings. MU won game one 11-1 in eight innings.

Haeger – who has the most wins of all active coaches in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference – needed 33 wins coming into the season to reach the mark and his Crusaders tallied win 33 in the day's second game to give MU 32 or more wins in each of the last nine seasons. Haeger is third all-time in WHAC history with his 500 wins over 16 seasons, behind only NAIA Hall of Famers Terry Bocian of Aquinas and the late Hank Burbridge of Spring Arbor who both have over 1,000 career victories.

Over the last eight-plus seasons – since the Crusaders moved into their home at Ilitch Ballpark - Haeger's teams have won 330 games, by far the most in the conference and have won six of the last seven WHAC championships and made two appearances in the NAIA National Championship.

Game One
The day's opener – win No. 499 for Haeger – started well early for MU as the Crusaders plated six runs in the bottom of the first off of UNOH starter Adam Ashman. A leadoff walk to sophomore catcher Donny Holland (White Lake, Mich. / Lakeland) started the parade of nine Crusaders to the plate. Junior right fielder Josh Deeg (Lake Orion, Mich. / Lake Orion) had the big blow of the inning, connecting on a grand slam that just stayed inside the foul pole that gave MU the 6-0 lead.

MU's lead grew to 10-0 in the third with junior second baseman Tyler Cotter (Livonia, Mich. / Churchill), junior first baseman Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth), Deeg and Holland all collecting RBIs in the inning.

Junior righty Jeremy Gooding (Livonia, Mich. / Divine Child Catholic) cruised through his seven innings of work, striking out seven in earning the win. Gooding (6-5) allowed just a run on three hits before giving way to freshman righty Justin Hicks (Fowlerville, Mich. / Fowlerville). Hicks did not allow a hit and struck out one.

MU put the game way with the 11th run of the game to invoke the run-rule in the bottom of the eighth when junior designated hitter Matthew Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary) singled home sophomore shortstop Victor Barron (Fowlerville, Mich. / Fowlerville) to seal the win.

Harder led MU at the plate with three hits while Cook and Pelletier each added a pair of hits in the win to go along with five runs batted in from Deeg.

Ashman (4-2) took the loss for UNOH while a trio of Racers each had a hit.

Game Two
Cook got the start in game two and was staked to a 3-0 lead after three innings. Senior Dan Harder (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton) singled home MU's first run in the first to score Lineberry before adding another RBI single in the third that scored senior Drew Adamiec (Walled Lake, Mich. / Western) to make it 2-0. Junior left fielder Steve Pelletier (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Harrison) then delivered a sacrifice fly two batters later to score Lineberry for a 3-0 lead.

UNOH got a run in the bottom of the third and two more off of Cook in the fourth to tie the game at 3-3 after four innings.

MU added a single run in the top of the fifth on a RBI double by Cook that scored Harder to give the Crusaders a 4-3 lead. The lead grew to 5-3 in the sixth when junior third baseman Spencer Sarel (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton) led the inning off with his first career triple and came home two batters later on a single by Holland for the two-run cushion.

The Racers did not go quietly in the last of the seventh, getting to junior right hander Randall Stempek (Hartland, Mich. / Hartland) for a pair of runs to tie the game at 5-5 and send the two sides to extra innings.

After the Crusaders stranded a pair of runners in the top of the eighth, the Racers had runners at first and second with one out. Senior righty Andy Omilian (Plymouth, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) induced Fabian Placencia to hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Both sides went down in order in the ninth to send the game to the decisive 10th inning. Deeg worked a two-out walk and advanced to third on a double by Sarel to put two on for Cotter. Cotter struck out but the ball was dropped behind the plate and the throw attempting to record Cotter at first was into the runner and allowed Cotter to reach and Deeg to score from third to give MU a 6-5 lead.

Omilian worked around a two-out walk and a hit to get Ben Smith to pop out to end the game and give the Crusaders the sweep.

Omilian (1-0) earned his first win of the season, striking out one in his 2.2 innings of relief. Cook struck out two while scattering seven hits in his seven innings of work in the no decision. Cook retired the last seven batters he faced.

Harder and Sarel each had three hits for MU while Lineberry scored a pair of runs.

Dylan Brammer (3-1) took the loss for UNOH, throwing two innings after playing in the infield in both games. Alex McKinstry had three hits for UNOH while Smith added two for the Racers in the loss.

The two sides wrap up the regular season on Saturday (April 28) with another double header. FIrst pitch is set for 1 p.m. and the Madonna senior class of Billy Hardin III (Livonia, MIch. / Divine Child Catholic), Garrett Rebain (Plymouth, Mich. / Plymouth), Adamiec, Harder and Omilian will be honored between games for their dedication to the program.

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Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

WHAC Release

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - - The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) office announced late Tuesday (April 24) that Madonna University junior Michelle Hall was named the league's Golfer of the Week for the period ending April 23.

Hall won the WHAC Championship by three strokes last Wednesday and Thursday (April 18-19), posting rounds of 82 and 83 to capture her second straight conference medalist honor. The three-time All-WHAC first team selection led the race for the conference's individual crown wire-to-wire in the chase for the top spot. The junior posted an 81.42 stroke per round average over the seven rounds of conference play.

Hall won three events including last week's championship. Hall helped the Crusaders to their second WHAC Championship in the last three seasons and the program's second ever bid to teh NAIA National Championships.

The Crusaders are now preparing for the NAIA National Championships slated for May 15-18 at Link Hills Country Club in Greenville, Tenn.

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Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

Results

Site: Caledonia, Mich.
Course: Stonewater Country Club (par 71, 6,757 yards)
Tournament: 2012 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship (Day One)
MU Standing: First of eight teams (309-312-320/941)
Top MU Individual: Vince Carango, T-First (78-72-79/229)
Next Event: Tuesday, May 22 – NAIA National Championships (Salem, Ore.)

CALEDONIA, Mich. - - The wind did not let up on day two of the 2012 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship at Stonewater Country Club, but neither did the Madonna University men's golf team as the Crusaders added to their overnight lead and captured their first ever WHAC Postseason Championship and a second bid to the NAIA National Championships in three years on Tuesday (April 24), besting the field by 15 strokes.

MU shot a 320 in the final round for a 941 total and held off a hard charging Aquinas side that shot a tournament best 306 in the final round for a 956 total to place second. Indiana Tech was two shots behind AQ with a 958 in third while host Davenport shot a 963 total for fourth. Siena Heights (974), Cornerstone (979), Northwestern Ohio (985) and Concordia (1,127) rounded out the field in fifth through eighth respectively.

Following the event, head coach Steve Mato was named the WHAC's Coach of the Year for the second time in his career after leading his troops to the postseason title.

"I'm proud of the way the guys came out the last two days and battled the elements to win the championship," commented Mato after the event. "We were not happy with the way the fall ended and wanted to come out and play our game at this event and did that. Now we have a little time to work on some things before heading to the national tournament."

Senior Vince Carango (Lawton, Mich. / Lawton) broke out of his tie for the lead and captured the event's individual medalist honors with a 229 total (78-72-79) for a three-shot win over Cody Britton of Aquinas and a four-shot win over Mark Beneke of Indiana Tech.

Junior Andy Meyers (Westland, Mich. / John Glenn) tied for fifth with a 236 (76-81-79) while senior Nick Sears (Clio, Mich. / Powers Catholic) and sophomore Eric Taurence (Wyandotte, Mich. / Roosevelt) were in a three-way tie for 11th after posting matching totals of 241 (Sears – 76-82-83; Taurence – 83-77-81).

Sophomore Dave Goad (Allen Park, Mich. / Allen Park) rebounded from an 88 in the second round to card an 81 for a 248 total (79-88-81) and a tie for 20th while freshman Nick Corbeil (Romulus, Mich. / Huron) was part of a two-way tie for 29th with a 256 (83-87-86).

The Crusaders now have almost a month to prepare for the 2012 NAIA National Championships at Creekside Country Club in Salem, Ore.

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Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834