CoSIDA Release

TOWSON, Md. – The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) along with Capital One announced the 2013 Academic All-District at-large team and Madonna University's Michelle Hall (Flushing, Mich. / Flushing) was selected to the College Division district three first team for the second straight year.

A business major, Hall led Madonna to a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference tournament title on May 7 and shot a season-low round of 75 as part of MU's program record 315 in the final round. The top finisher at the 36-hole event, Hall earned All-WHAC first team honors for the fourth straight season, becoming the first MU golfer male or female to earn first team honors all four years. Hall joins four other MU student-athletes in the 26-year history of the department – Brandy Malewski (volleyball 1997-2000), Inta Grinvalds (volleyball 2006-09), Jess Irwin (softball 2008-11) and Jeremy Gooding (baseball 2010-13) – who earned first team All-WHAC honors all four seasons they were Crusaders.

With the Crusaders' WHAC title, MU moves on to the NAIA National Championships for the third time in four seasons as a team. Hall will be making her fourth straight trip as she went as an individual to the 2011 national summit. Hall becomes the eighth student-athlete to make four trips to the NAIA National Championship and the first non-volleyball student-athlete to achieve the feat.

A 2012 CoSIDA / CAPITAL ONE Academic All-America second team selection, Hall led MU with an 82.3 stroke-per-round average, recording 10 top 10 finishes in the 13 events she played in. Hall also posted six top 5 finishes in addition to her first place finish at the WHAC Championship.

About the Capital One Academic All-America® Program
To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 16,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports. For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.

Hall now moves on to the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot for the second straight year in hopes of repeating her AAA honors.

The Crusaders open their quest for a NAIA National Championship on May 21 at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

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NAIA Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced its 2013 NAIA Daktronics Men's Golf Scholar-Athletes as part of the national championship and Madonna University had two selections among the 111 student-athletes honored nation wide.

In order to be selected as a scholar-athlete, a student-athlete must be a junior or senior academically, be nominated by his/her head coach and have a 3.5 grade point average or higher.

The Crusaders saw senior Andy Myers (Westland, Mich. / John Glenn) and junior Drew Mossoian (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson) selected. The honor is the first for both in their MU careers.

Both Mossoian (business administration) and Myers (health care management) were also honored as members of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference all-academic team earlier this spring.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

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CoSIDA Baseball | CoSIDA Softball

TOWSON, Md. – The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) along with Capital One announced the 2013 Academic All-District baseball and softball team and Madonna University had a student-athlete selected to each team.

Senior right fielder Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) was selected to the baseball squad while junior designated player Caitlyn Keuvelaar (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) was tabbed to the softball side.

Lineberry earned All-Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference first team honors in 2013, posting a .397 batting average with 23 runs batted in, nine doubles and a team-best four triples. A converted infielder, Lineberry slugged .562 with a .438 on-base percentage and stole 19 bases in his final season as a Crusader. The all-district selection is the second for Lineberry as he is also a two-time Academic All-WHAC selection.

Keuvelaar earned honorable mention All-WHAC and academic All-WHAC honors this season after hitting .273 with nine doubles and a Madonna single-season record nine home runs. Keuvelaar slugged .513 in 150 at-bats.

About the Capital One Academic All-America® Program

To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Since the program's inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 16,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports. For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.

Both Keuvelaar and Lineberry now move on to the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

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Box Score

Site: Cleveland, Tenn. (Olympic Field)
Scores: Avila 3, No. 18 Madonna 2
Records: MU (37-11), AU(30-21)
Next MU event: 2013 season complete

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – An eighth inning rally came up just short as the No. 18-ranked Madonna University baseball team saw its 2013 season come to an end with a 3-2 loss to Avila (Mo.) in the opening round of the NAIA National Championship's Cleveland Bracket at Olympic Field.

Senior Brad Lineberry drove in one of the two MU runs and was one of six Crusaders to post base hits in the game. Fellow seniors Alex Charles, Matthew Cook and Steve Pelletier also recorded a hit.

Freshman Evan Piechota took the loss for MU, giving up all three AU runs while allowing 10 hits and striking out four for his first loss of the season against six wins.

The Eagles scored a single run in the second, using a pair of singles and a wild pitch to take a 1-0 lead. The lead grew to 3-0 in the eighth when Kyle Ford singled with the bases loaded to score two more runs.

The Crusaders got on the board in the bottom of the eighth. Junior Donny Holland led off with a walk and courtesy runner Mike Tibbits moved to second on a single to right by Charles. Shane Dokey then dropped a bunt down for a hit but the ensuing throw went up the first base line, allowing Tibbits to score from second for a 3-1 game. Lineberry followed with a single that scored Charles to make it 3-2 but AU's Steven Johnson ended the MU threat, getting the next three batters in order to end the inning.

MU went down in order in the ninth to end the game and the Crusaders' season. The Crusaders end the season at 37-11 and winners of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular season.

More to come

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

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Box Score

Site: Cleveland, Tenn. (Olympic Field)
Scores: No. 3 Lee 9, No. 18 Madonna 2
Records: MU (37-10), LU (48-10)
Next MU event: Saturday, May 11 vs. TBA (Cleveland, Tenn.) – 2 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The offense for the No. 18-ranked Madonna University baseball team that was efficient  24 hours earlier went cold on Friday (May 10) as No. 3-ranked Lee broke open a two-run game with a four-run fourth inning as part of a 9-2 victory at Olympic Field in the 2013 NAIA National Championship Opening Round.

Senior third baseman Justin Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary) hit his team-leading forth home run of the season to account for one of the two MU runs while senior right fielder Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) drove in the other. Five different Crusaders collected base hits for MU in the loss.

Senior righty Jeremy Gooding (Livonia, Mich. / Divine Child Catholic) suffered just his second loss of the season, giving up eight runs on 13 hits in three and a third innings of work.

Lee plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the second, stringing together three straight base hits to take a 2-0 lead.

Madonna answered back with a single run in the top of the third as senior center fielder Alex Charles (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Brother Rice Catholic) reached on a one-out double and came home on a single by Lineberry to make it a 2-1 game.

The Flames struck for two more runs in the bottom of the third, using four hits to take a 4-1 lead.

Cook led off the top of the fourth with a solo home run to left that made it 4-2 but that proved to be the final run of the day for the Crusaders as the Flames scored four times in the bottom of the inning to take an 8-2 lead. Lee added a single run in the seventh for the 9-2 final.

Madonna managed just two base runners after the fourth inning and both of those runners were erased on double plays.

Danny Canela and Karsten Strieby both posted three hits for Lee in support of Jose Samayoa. Samayoa allowed both MU runs while scattering four hits in his five innings of work. The Lee pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts in the win.

MU now falls into the loser's bracket and will have to win three straight games if it wants to advance to the NAIA World Series. The Crusaders take on the winner of the Avila versus Grand View game on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

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Box Score

Site: Cleveland, Tenn. (Olympic Field)
Scores: No. 18 Madonna 8, No. 24 LSU-Shreveport 0
Records: MU (37-9), LSU-S (40-17)
Next MU event: Friday, May 10 at No. 3 Lee (Cleveland, Tenn.) – 3:30 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Behind a stellar performance on the mound from Matthew Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary) and clutch hits from its offense, the No. 18-ranked Madonna University baseball team opened the 2013 NAIA National Championship Opening Round with an 8-0 victory over No. 24-ranked Louisiana State University Shreveport at Olympic Field.

Cook tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just five hits while striking out six and issuing just one walk. The senior righty did not allow a runner past second base all day while benefiting from three double plays turned from his defense.

Senior center fielder Alex Charles (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Brother Rice Catholic) led MU with a career-best 4-for-4 day at the plate with a run batted in. Senior left fielder Steve Pelletier (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Harrison) and junior catcher Donny Holland (White Lake, Mich. / Lakeland) both added two hits apiece with senior third baseman Justin Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary) and Pelletier each driving in a pair of runs for the Crusaders.

MU went quietly in both the first and second while Cook took advantage of two double play ground balls to end the first two innings at the plate for LSU-S.

The first three Crusaders reached in the top of the third, starting with senior designated hitter Spencer Sarel (Brighton, Mich. / Brighton). Sarel – who had not seen game action since March 9 due to a facial injury – roped a single into center to open the frame. Holland followed with a single before Charles reached on a bunt single that loaded the bases. Freshman second baseman Shane Dokey (Howell, Mich. / Brighton) scored Sarel with a sacrifice fly to put MU in front 1-0. Senior right fielder Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) followed with a single through the right side that scored sophomore Mike Tibbits (Plymouth, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) who was running for Holland, to give MU a 2-0 lead.

MU tacked on two more runs in the fourth as Pelletier led off with a bunt single and moved all the way to third on a throwing error by LSU-S. Freshman first baseman John Lauro (Rochester Hills, Mich. / University of Detroit Jesuit) doubled to right center to score Pelletier to make it 3-0. After a sacrifice bunt by Holland moved Lauro to third, Charles singled through the left side scoring Lauro for a 4-0 edge.

Cook worked out of a two on, two out jam in the bottom of the fourth before getting a strike out – caught stealing double play to end the sixth and keep LSU-S scoreless.

The Crusaders added four runs – all coming with two outs – in the top of the ninth for the 8-0 final. Dokey reached on a one-out walk and after stealing second, moved to third on a fielder's choice off of Lineberry's bat that recorded the second MU out of the inning at the plate. An intentional walk to junior shortstop Victor Barron (Fowlerville, Mich. / Fowlerville) loaded the bases for Justin Cook who drove in a Dokey and Lineberry for a 6-0 lead. Pelletier then singled to left to score Barron and pinch runner Ben Matigian (Livonia, Mich. / Churchill) to cap the MU scoring in the ninth. The four runs in the ninth brought MU's two-out run total to five for the day.

Matthew Cook then sent LSU-S down in order in the ninth to wrap up the shutout. Cook (8-1) sent the final nine Pilots down in order in the victory.

Cade Bowen (5-4) took the loss for the Pilots. Bowen threw the first eight and a third innings, giving up five runs and striking out four while not allowing a walk. KJ Semien and Greg Friesen combined for all five of LSU-S' hits with Friesen posting the lone extra base hit, a leadoff double in the seventh.

MU advances in the winner's bracket on Friday and will play at 3:30 p.m. The Crusaders will take on No. 3-ranked and host Lee.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

WHAC Site

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - - The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) announced its 2013 women's golf award teams following the annual WHAC Championship and a total of seven Crusaders were honored, led by All-WHAC first team selections Kaitlyn Brasher (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc), Chelsea Collura (Riverview, Mich. / Gabriel Richard Catholic) and Michelle Hall (Flushing, Mich. / Flushing).

In addition, freshmen Holly Laginess (Carleton, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) and Jordyn Shepler (Livonia, Mich. / Churchill) were selected to the All-WHAC honorable mention team. Head coach Scott Marzolino was named the WHAC's Coach of the Year for the third time in his career.

Hall ranked second in the league with an 81.14 stroke average in conference events. With her selection, Hall becomes the first MU golfer – male or female – to earn All-WHAC first team honors four times and will be making her forth appearance in the NAIA National Championship.

A junior, Brasher averaged 84.43 strokes per round in league events to earn the first conference honors of her career. Collura is a repeat selection from 2012 as the sophomore ranked fifth in the league with an even 83 strokes per round average.

Laginess and Shepler were both impressive in their debut seasons as the duo averaged 86.86 and 87.29 strokes per round respectively.

In addition, senior Megan Fleischer (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Marian Catholic) along with Brasher and Hall were named to the Academic All-WHAC team. To earn academic honors a student-athlete must be a junior or senior and have a 3.25 grade point average or higher.

Fleischer was also the Madonna selection to the WHAC's Champions of Character team. The C of C team is comprised of the student-athlete each coach feels best displays the NAIA's Five Core Values of respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

The Crusaders captured the WHAC Championship – their third in the last four seasons – and now advance to the 2013 NAIA National Championships in Lincoln, Neb., beginning of May 21.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

Results

Site: Comstock Park, Mich.
Course: Scott Lake Country Club (par 72, 5812 yards)
Tournament: Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship
MU Standing: First of nine teams (336-315 / 651)
Next Event: Tuesday, May 21 at NAIA National Championships (Lincoln, Neb.)

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - - Behind a program record-low final round of 315, the Madonna University women's golf team ran away with the 2013 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship on Tuesday (May 7) defeating the field by 26 strokes to claim their second straight title and third in the last four seasons.

MU shot rounds of 336 and today's 315 for a 651. Host Aquinas (677) was second with Davenport (686) in third and Indiana Tech (696) and Siena Heights (698) rounding out the top five.

Senior Michelle Hall (Flushing, Mich. / Flushing) took first place by six shots in the 36-hole event. Hall shot the low round of the tournament in round two with a 75 for a 154 total. Junior Kaitlyn Brasher (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc) finished fifth with a 167 (89-78) total. Brasher took 11 shots off of her day one total.

Sophomore Chelsea Collura (Riverview, Mich. / Gabriel Richard Catholic) ended in a tie for sixth with a 167 total. After struggling on day one with a 92, Colloura rebounded in a big way, carding a 76, one shot behind Hall for the low round of the event. Sophomore Becca Porter (Lambertville, Mich. / Bedford) and freshman Jordyn Shepler (Livonia, Mich. / Churchill) were part of a tie for 13th with 175 totals. Shepler shot an 86 on day two, three shots better than day one. Fellow rookie Holly Laginess (Carleton, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) finished in a tie for 19th with a 179 total. Laginess shaved five shots off of her opening round 92 with an 87 in the final round.

With the win, MU advances to the NAIA National Championship for the third time in program history. The 2013 national summit is slated for May 21-24 at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

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Lee University Site | NAIA Baseball Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the pairings for the 2013 NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round and the No. 18-ranked Madonna University baseball team has been selected to play in the Cleveland, Tenn., bracket, hosted by Lee University.

The Crusaders' appearance in the opening round is the third in program history and the first since 2010.

Madonna – the bracket's No. 2 seed - is paired with No. 3-ranked and top-seeded Lee along with No. 24-ranked and third seeded LSU-Shreveport. Avila is the bracket's fourth-seed while Grand View rounds out the five-team field as the fifth-seed.

Grand View and Avila open the tournament on Thursday (May 9) at 12 p.m. MU then takes on LSU-S at 3:30 p.m. with Lee set to take on the winner of the Grand View versus Avila game at 7 p.m. All of the games will be played at Lee's Olympic Field.

MU is familiar with two of the other four teams in the field as the Crusaders are 3-0 this season against Lee and Avila. Jeremy Gooding (Livonia, Mich. / Divine Child Catholic) and Dan Stoney (Plymouth, Mich. / Canton) combined to no hit Avila on March 9 to close the Crusaders' spring trip. MU won the doubleheader by finals of 2-1 and 8-0. Gooding picked up his first win of the 2013 season on February 9 in a 4-3 victory over No. 3 Lee. The senior righty struck out seven batters in his six innings of work.

The Pilots of LSU-S come into the tournament having won 10 of their last 11 games after going 16-3 in the month of April. The Pilots (40-16) won their third straight Red River Athletic Conference tournament title last week and are making their fifth straight opening round appearance since the format started in 2009. The Pilots have won each of their last two opening round brackets to advance to the AVISTA NAIA World Series.

Should MU defeat LSU-S, the Crusaders would move on to Friday's 3:30 p.m. game against the winner of Wednesday's 7:00 p.m. game. A Madonna loss would see the Royal Blue and Gold in the Noon game on Friday against the loser of the Grand View / Avila game.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

Results

Site: Comstock Park, Mich.
Event: Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship
Course: Scott Lake Country Club (par 71 | 6,757 yards)
MU Standing: First place of eight teams (336)
Top MU Individual: Michelle Hall / Becca Porter –Tied for first (79)
Next Event: WHAC Championship Day Two

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - - A pair of Crusaders sit atop the individual leader board while the Madonna University women's golf team is in first after day one and 18 holes at the 2013 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Women's Golf Championship at Scott Lake Country Club on Monday (May 6).

The Crusaders shot a team 336 total to lead host Aquinas by three strokes. Davenport is in third at 350 with Siena Heights in fourth at 352. Indiana Tech (360) is fourth while Lourdes (389), Northwestern Ohio (407) and Cornerstone (421) round out the field. Concordia only posted a pair of scores on day one and is not eligible for the team championship.

Senior Michelle Hall (Flushing, Mich. / Flushing) and sophomore Becca Porter (Lambertville, Mich. / Bedford) are tied in first with rounds of 79. The duo holds a one-stroke lead over the field.

Junior Kaitlyn Brasher (Grand Blanc, Mich. / Grand Blanc) and freshman Jordyn Shepler (Livonia, Mich. / Churchill) are tied for 13th place with rounds of 89. Sophomore Chelsea Collura (Riverview, Mich. / Gabrile Richard Catholic) and freshman Holly Laginess (Carleton, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) round out the MU contingent and are in a tie for 20th with rounds of 92.

The Crusaders look to capture their second straight WHAC title and their third in the last four years with another 18 holes on Tuesday. The winner of the WHAC championship claims the league's automatic berth into the NAIA National Championship.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

WHAC Site

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - - The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) announced its 2013 baseball award teams following the annual WHAC Tournament and a total of 13 Crusaders were honored, led by two-time WHAC Pitcher of the Year Jeremy Gooding (Livonia, Mich. / Divine Child Catholic).

In addition to Gooding, head coach Greg Haeger was tabbed as the league's Coach of the Year while senior third baseman Justin Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary), senior righty Matthew Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary) and senior right fielder Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) joined Gooding on the All-WHAC first team.

Haeger led MU to the program's eighth WHAC title in the last 10 season and a 20-1 mark in league play. The Crusaders posted a 17-game winning streak that extended into the WHAC Tournament. The award is the seventh in Haeger's 17 season as the Crusaders' skipper.

Gooding led the WHAC with a 1.34 earned run average and 74 strikeouts for an 11.04 strikeout per game average. Gooding – MU's career leader in wins and strikeouts – posted a 5-1 record with a save ranks third nationally, allowing just 11 runs all season. Justin Cook led the WHAC with 42 runs batted in during his first season as a Crusader. Cook posted a .297 batting average with eight doubles and three home runs. Matthew Cook went 7-1 this season, posting a 3.10 ERA in 61 innings of work. Cook struck out 41 while allowing just 17 walks. Linberry rounded out the MU first team selections and shined after moving to the outfield for his final season as a Crusader. Despite missing nearly three weeks with a  thumb injury Lineberry hit .413 with nine doubles, four triples and 20 runs batted in.

Junior shortstop Victor Barron (Fowlerville, Mich. / Fowlerville) along with junior catcher Donny Holland (White Lake, Mich. / Lakeland) and senior pitcher Josh Vandemark (Hicksville, Ohio / Hicksville) were all selected to the All-WHAC honorable mention team.

Barron led MU with a .348 average with nine doubles, three triples and 19 RBIs while posting a .476 on-base percentage. Holland was MU's everyday catcher and hit a career-best .271 with a double and 10 runs batted in. Vandemark bounced back from an injury plagued 2012 season to go 6-1 with a 3.93 earned run average to go along with 51 strikeouts in 52 and two-thirds innings of work.

A total of four Crusaders were named to the WHAC Gold Glove Team presented by Rawlings as the student-athlete at his specific position with the best fielding percentage among league players. The right side of the MU infield – freshman second baseman Shane Dokey (Howell, Mich. / Brighton) and freshman first baseman John Lauro (Rochester Hills, Mich. / University of Detroit Jesuit) – along with senior left fielder Steve Pelletier (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Harrison) and Holland were honored for their fielding. A converted outfielder Dokey posted a .983 fielding percentage in 173 chances with 107 assists and 63 putouts against just four three. Lauro made just one error in his 314 chances, recording 296 putouts with 17 assists. Holland was selected for the third time in his career and his selection marks the fourth straight year since the award's inception in 2010 that a Madonna catcher has won the award. Holland recorded 192 putouts with 34 assists and just five passed balls. He also threw out 16 of the 29 runners that attempted to steal a base on him. Pelletier posted a .979 percentage in left field, recording 45 putouts to earn his second Gold Glove.

Junior infielder Ryan Lech (Macomb, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North,  junior righty Tyler Schofield (Windsor, Ontario / FJ Brennan) along with Justin Cook, Lineberry and Pelletier were all named to the Academic All-WHAC team. To be selected for academic honors, a student-athlete must be a junior or senior with a 3.25 grade point average or better.

Rounding out the awards was Holland, who was selected to the WHAC's Champions of Character team. The C of C team consists of the student-athlete each school's coach feels best displays the NAIA's Five Core Values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

The Crusaders enter the 2013 NAIA National Championship Opening Round ranked at No. 18 in the NAIA Coaches' Poll with a 36-9 record.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

NAIA Information | Opening Round Schedule

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced Sunday (May 5) the field for the 45-team NAIA National Tournament Opening Round and No. 18-ranked Madonna University was awarded an at-large bid to the event.

The selection is MU's third in the last five years as MU earned a berth in 2009 and 2010. The Crusaders moved up one spot in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Poll this week, moving to No. 18 with a 36-9 record and a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular season championship.

The NAIA will announce the destination for MU on Monday (May 6) at 1 p.m. (EDT). That information can be found at NAIA.org.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

 

WHAC Site

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - - The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) announced its 2013 softball award teams following the annual WHAC Tournament and a total of seven Crusaders were honored, led by All-WHAC first team selection Erin Mayes (Monroe, Mich. / Ida).

Senior Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich. / Jefferson) along with juniors Kristen Drabek (Newport, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) and Caitlyn Keuvelaar (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) and fresman Emma Cook (St. Clair, Mich. / Marysville) all earned All-WHAC honorable mention honors.

Mayes led MU with a .331 average with 49 hits in her 148 at-bats. Among her hits were 11 doubles, three triples and seven home runs. Mayes raised her career home run total to 19 this season, tying her for the top spot in the MU record book. The first team selection is the second straight for Mayes who earned the award in 2012 as well.

Drabek was right behind Mayes with a .328 average with seven doubles and three triples as the Crusaders' every day catcher. Cox posted a .311 average with four triples and a team-leading eight stolen bases while playing both center field and shortstop. Cook started 49 games at second base for the Crusaders as a freshman and posted a .281 average with a team-leading 12 doubles to go along with three home runs. Keuvelaar served as MU's designated player most of the season and set a Madonna single-season record with her nine home runs.

Senior Amber Rafko (Monroe, Mich. / Monroe), junior Carlee Meek (Linden, Mich. / Lakeland), Cox, Drabek and Keuvelaar were all selected to the Academic All-WHAC team. To be selected to the academic team, a student-athlete must be a junior or senior and have a 3.25 cumulative grade point average or better.

Cox was also the Madonna selection to the WHAC Champion of Character team as the student-athlete who best displays the NAIA's Five Core Values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

The Crusaders ended the 2013 season with a 32-18 record and an appearance in the WHAC Tournament.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

Box Score

Site: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Farmers Athletic Complex)
Scores: Indiana Tech 10, Madonna 2
Records: MU (36-9), IT (31-16)
Next MU event: TBA

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Madonna University baseball team scored single runs in the first and second innings but Indiana Tech then went on to score 10 unanswered runs to claim the 2013 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament Championship by a 10-2 final on Friday (May 3) at the Farmers Athletic Complex.

Freshman second baseman Shane Dokey (Howell, Mich. / Brighton) and senior right fielder Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) both had two hits and drove in a run for MU. Junior righty Dan Stoney (Plymouth, Mich. / Canton) suffered the loss, giving up three runs on three hits and walked three in his inning of work.

Dokey led the game off for MU with a single to center and after stealing second, moved to third on a single to center from junior shortstop Victor Barron (Fowlerville, Mich. / Fowlerville). Lineberry followed with a RBI groundout back to the mound that gave MU a 1-0 lead after half an inning.

The Crusaders plated another run in the second when Dokey singled home junior Ryan Lech (Macomb, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North) for a 2-0 lead.

Tech plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the second off of MU starter Matthew Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary). Cook issued a leadoff walk and after two singles, the Warriors had cut the MU lead in half, 2-1. Two more walks forced in a run to tie the game at 2-2.

After the bases were loaded with three walks in the third for the Warriors, Ignatius Mackenzie unloaded them with a grand slam that gave Tech a 6-2 lead. IIT added two runs in the fifth along with single runs in the sixth and eighth for the 10-2 final.

Zach Sailors (5-2) earned the victory for IIT, allowing just the two MU runs while striking out nine. Mackenzie drove in five runs and was one of three Warriors to record multiple hits.

The Crusaders must now wait and see if their 36-9 record and No. 19 national ranking will earn them the program's third trip to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. The NAIA will announce the 46-team field on Sunday (May 5).

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

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Box Score

Site: Battle Creek, Mich. (Bailey Park)
Scores: Davenport 4, Madonna 0
Records: MU (32-18), DU (33-12-1)
Next MU event: 2013 season complete

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – After staving off elimination twice yesterday, the Madonna University softball team could not keep the momentum going, falling to No. 2 seed Davenport 4-0 on Friday (May 3) in a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament elimination game at Bailey Park. The loss ends MU's season at 32-18.

Seniors Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich. / Jefferson) and Amber Rafko (Monroe, Mich. / Monroe) led MU at the plate as Cox had a pair of base hits and Rafko connected on a double as both played their final games as a Crusader. Sophomore righty Bree Crampton (New Baltimore, Mich. / Anchor Bay) suffered the loss in the circle. Crampton (18-13) struck out four while being charged with all four DU runs.

After DU stranded a pair of runners in the top of the first, Cox led off the bottom half of the frame with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from freshman Emma Cook (St. Clair, Mich. / Marysville). DU's Sam Cole left Cox there as the WHAC Pitcher of the Year retired the next two Crusaders in order to end the inning.

Rafko led off the second with a double but was left there as Cole struck out the next three Crusader hitters to end the threat.

Crampton was cruising along until the top of the fifth. Paige Sant'Angelo led off with a double and Ashley Powell then connected on a two-run homer to left center to give DU a 2-0 lead. The lead grew to 4-0 two batters later when Amber Getty hit a two-run home run to center to cap the DU scoring.

Cox reached in the fifth but MU could not get on the board. In the last of the seventh MU saw a pair of batters reach base – freshman Hayley Wallace (Davison, Mich. / Davison) and junior Carlee Meek (Linden, Mich. / Lakeland) – but left both runners on base as Cole struck out the final batter of the game for the 4-0 final.

Cole (23-7) scattered five Madonna hits in earning the win. Lindsey Allen was the lone Panther to record two hits in the win.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

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Box Score

Site: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Farmers Athletic Complex)
Scores: Madonna 3, Indiana Tech 1
Records: MU (36-8), IT (30-16)
Next MU event: Friday, May 3 – vs. Indiana Tech (Grand Rapids, Mich.) – 3 p.m.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Facing elimination for the second straight game, the No. 19-ranked Madonna University baseball team scored a pair of runs early and held off a late Indiana Tech rally for a 3-1 win that forces a winner-take-all game on Friday (May 3) in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship at the Farmers Athletic Complex.

Freshman Evan Piechota (Livonia, Mich. / Stevenson) shined in his seven and two-thirds innings of work to earn his sixth win of the season. Piechota struck out three batters while scattering eight hits and allowing just one run.

Freshman second baseman Shane Dokey (Howell, Mich. / Brighton) and senior right fielder Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) both recorded a pair of hits for MU with freshman first baseman John Lauro (Rochester Hills, Mich. / University of Detroit Jesuit), sophomore center fielder Mike Tibbits (Plymouth, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) and Lineberry each drove in a run for Madonna.

Dokey led off the home half of the first with a double and moved to third on a failed pickoff attempt. Two batters later Lineberry singled to center to score Dokey and give MU a 1-0 lead. After Lineberry stole second, Lauro singled to left to score the second MU run for a 2-0 lead.

After allowing singles in the first and second, Piechota did not allow a base runner to reach until the fifth and that runner was erased on a 5-4-3 double play before another double play in the seventh kept Tech off the board.

MU added a third run in the seventh when Tibbits drove in senior left fielder Steve Pelletier with a ground out for a 3-0 lead.

Tech got to Piechota for a single run in the eighth as Ignatius Mackenzie led off with a triple and Eric Wald followed with a RBI single, cutting the MU lead to 3-1. A double play recorded the first two outs of the inning before back-to-back singles brought the go-ahead run to the plate. Head coach Greg Haeger went to his bullpen and brought in senior righty Jeremy Gooding (Livonia, Mich. / Divine Child Catholic). The appearance marked Gooding's second in less than 24 hours as the senior went eight innings in Thursday's opener. Gooding ended the inning by getting Jacob Dunnichay to fly out to right, ending the threat.

Gooding came back out for the ninth and after allowing a leadoff walk, sent the next three batters down in order, striking out the final two for his first save of the season.

Mackenzie led Tech with two hits in the loss. Josh Miller (6-2) took the loss, giving up three runs and seven hits. MU did not have a batter strike out in the win.

The win now sets up a second WHAC championship game that will begin at 3 p.m.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

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Box Scores: UMD | Cornerstone

Site: Battle Creek, Mich. (Bailey Park)
Scores: Madonna 6, UM-Dearborn 4 (8 inn.); Madonna 6, Cornerstone 1
Records: MU (32-17), UMD (7-36), CU (32-6)
Next MU event: Friday, May 3 – vs. Davenport (Battle Creek, Mich.) – 1 p.m.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The Madonna University softball team saw a pair of home run records tied and stayed alive to play another day as the Crusaders got a two-run homer from junior first baseman Erin Mayes (Monroe, Mich. / Ida) in the top of the eighth to rally for a 6-4 win over UM-Dearborn. Junior designated player Caitlyn Keuvelaar (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) clubbed a two-run home run of her own in a 6-1 win that eliminated top-seeded Cornerstone in the 2013 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship at Bailey Park.

Mayes tied the career home run record in the UMD game with her 19th career long ball to move into a tie with Jamie Bobrowski (2001-04) and Ashley Shay (2008-11) for the top spot in the MU record books. Keuvelaar's homer was her ninth of the season, moving her into a tie with Heather Richardson (2006) for the most in a single-season in program history.

UM-Dearborn
Senior center fielder Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich. / Jefferson) led MU against UMD with three hits and senior right fielder Amber Rafko (Monroe, Mich. / Monroe) added two hits of her own for MU in the win.

Sophomore righty Bree Crampton (New Baltimore, Mich. / Anchor Bay) earned the victory in the circle, throwing the final four an two-thirds, striking out six while scattering three hits.

MU took a 1-0 lead in the first as Cox led off with a single and after stealing second and moving to third on a fly ball, came home on a sacrifice fly from Mayes to give MU the early lead.

The Crusaders tacked on another run in the second when Rafko reached after striking out when the third strike was unable to be stopped by the UMD catcher, allowing Rafko to advance to first. A sacrifice bunt moved Rafko to second. Sophomore left fielder Karleigh Creighton (Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington) reached on an infield single that moved Rafko to third. A failed pickoff attempt allowed Rafko to score from third for a 2-0 lead.

UMD got on the board with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second, cutting the MU lead to 2-1.

MU got that run back in the third on a RBI double from Keuvelaar that scored Cox for a 3-1 edge.

The Wolves pulled within one with a single run in the third via another sacrifice fly that made it 3-2.

UMD took a 4-3 lead in the fourth when Shanel Johnstone hit a two-run homer to left that scored Amelia Mittlebrun to give the Wolves their first lead of the game.

Rafko got MU even herself, clubbing a solo home run to center with two outs in the sixth for a 4-4 game.

The Wolves saw a chance to win the game go for naught in the seventh as Maria Rodriguez led off with a triple to right center. After Crampton got a strikeout for the first out of the inning, MU walked the next two hitter to set up a force anywhere. Crampton got a foul pop to left that was not deep enough to score Rodriguez from third before striking out Johnstone to end the inning an send the game to extra innings.

MU wasted little time in taking the lead back in the eighth. Cox led off with a single into center and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from freshman second baseman Emma Cook (St. Clair, Mich. / Marysville). Mayes then stepped in and hit her home run to right, giving MU a 6-4 lead.

Crampton worked around a leadoff walk and a single to strand both runners, getting a pair of pop outs and a ground out to end the game and extend MU's season.

Johnstone and Rodriguez each had two hits for UMD with Johnstone driving in a pair of runs with her home run. Erika Southworth suffered the loss, giving up five earned runs in her eight innings of work.

Cornerstone
Cook and Keuvelaar each had a pair of hits for MU as the Crusaders scored three times in the second inning to take a lead they would not relinquish in a 6-1 victory over regular season champion Cornerstone.

After CU took a 1-0 lead on a Jenna Weightman home run in the top of the second, Keuvelaar led off with a solo shot to right center to tie the game at one. Rafko followed with a single and junior catcher Kristen Drabek (Newport, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) followed with a double to plate Rafko and give MU a 2-1 lead. Drabek after moved to third on the throw to the plate, a sacrifice fly from sophomore shortstop Kasey Trierweiler (Grand Ledge, Mich. / Grand Ledge) scored Drabek, giving MU a 3-1 lead.

MU made it 4-1 in the third on a RBI single from Keuvelaar that scored Mayes. The Crusaders added two more runs in the fourth thanks to a CU miscue and a RBI single from Cook for a 6-1 lead.

After allowing the home run in the second and a walk later in the inning, Crampton sent the next 11 Golden Eagles down in order. Crampton allowed just two more runners the rest of the game – coming on a single in the sixth and a walk in the seventh – to seal up her 18th win of the season. Crampton struck out 10, bringing her total on the day to 21 while allowing just two hits in the complete game.

Weightman drove in the lone CU run while Heidi Warmelink (19-3) suffered the loss, going just one inning while allowing three runs on three hits.

MU returns to the field in another elimination game on Friday (May 3) with a rematch against Davenport at 1 p.m. The winner of that game faces off with fourth seed Aquinas in the WHAC Championship at 3 p.m.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

Box Score

Site: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Farmers Athletic Complex)
Scores: Madonna 13, Aquinas 5
Records: MU (35-8), AQ (25-20)
Next MU event: Friday, May 3 – vs. Indiana Tech (Grand Rapids, Mich.) – 12 p.m.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Facing a possible end to its season the No. 19-ranked Madonna University baseball team scored six times in the opening two innings and held off an Aquinas rally for a 13-5 win on Thursday (May 2) in an elimination game at the 2013 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship at the Farmers Athletic Complex.

Senior third baseman Justin Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary) and freshman second baseman Shane Dokey (Howell, Mich. / Brighton) each had three hits while Cook drove in four runs and stole a career-best three bases. Dokey, along with junior shortstop Victor Barron (Fowlerville, Mich. / Fowlerville) drove in two runs while Barron, senior right fielder Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) and freshman first baseman John Lauro (Rochester Hills, Mich. / University of Detroit Jesuit) each had a pair of base hits as part of MU's 18-hit attack.

Senior righty Josh Vandemark (Hicksville, Ohio / Hickville) earned the victory, his sixth straight. Vandemark (6-1) scattered eight hits while striking out four in five and two-thirds innings of work. Junior righty Travis Schuba (Rapid City, Mich. / Kalkaska) and senior righty Randall Stempek (Hartland, Mich. / Hartland) worked the final three and a third innings, combining to strike out four while allowing just one hit and a walk.

Dokey led the MU half of the first off with a single to center and moved to second on a passed ball. Barron drew a walk and both runners advanced on a balk. With two outs Cook delivered a single through the left side that scored both runners for a 2-0 MU lead.

Pelletier opened the second by drawing a walk and a single by sophomore center fielder Mike Tibbits (Plymouth, Mich. / Detroit Catholic Central) put two on. Both runners stole a base and Pelletier scored on a RBI single by Dokey for a 3-0 lead. Barron scored Tibbits with a sacrifice fly to right, giving MU a 4-0 lead. Two batters later Cook tripled home Dokey before junior designated hitter Ryan Lech (Macomb, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North) singled home Cook to cap the scoring in the second with MU in front 6-0.

MU added another run in the fifth as Pelletier reached on a bunt single before stealing second. Pelletier came home on a throwing error in the AQ infield following a groundout by Tibbits for a 7-0 lead.

Aquinas cut the Madonna lead to just two, 7-5, with five runs in the top of the sixth. Nick Kissane, Elliott Drain and Steve Crawford all drove in runs as the Saints chased Vandemark. Schuba came in, and after a Madonna miscue allowed AQ's fifth run to score, got a ground ball to end the threat.

After seeing its lead dwindle to just two, the Crusaders matched the Saints with five runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lineberry led off with a triple to right and came home when Cook reached on an infield single to make it 8-5. After Cook stole second and moved up on an error, senior designated hitter Jeff Beckles (Southfield, Mich. / Lathrup) singled to score Cook for a 9-5 lead. Lauro reached on a single into right to put two aboard. Two batters later – and after a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position – Tibbits reached on a single that scored Beckles giving MU a 10-5 lead. An infield single from Dokey scored Lauro to extend the MU lead back to six, 11-5. Barron singled with two outs to score Tibbits and cap the scoring in the sixth for MU.

MU tacked on a run in the seventh on a RBI single by Lauro for a 13-5 lead.

Schuba worked around a one-out walk in the eighth and Stempek dealt with a leadoff single by getting a double play to close out the 13-5 win for the Crusaders.

Drain led AQ with two hits while Crawford drove in a pair of runs for the Saints. Matt Krzykwa took the loss for Aquinas, surrendering five runs in his one inning of work.

The Crusaders now move into the WHAC Championship against No. 3 seed Indiana Tech at Noon on Friday (May 3). MU needs to defeat Tech to force a winner-take-all second game for the WHAC's automatic bid into the NAIA National Championship.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

Box Score

Site: Battle Creek, Mich. (Bailey Park)
Scores: Davenport 5, Madonna 4
Records: MU (30-17), DU (32-11-1)
Next MU event: Thursday, May 2 – vs. UM-Dearborn (Battle Creek, Mich.) – 5:30 p.m.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. – The Madonna University softball team caught an unlucky break as with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, a ball bounced off of the first base bag allowing the game winning run to score from third to give Davenport a walk-off 5-4 win in a game at the 2013 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship at Bailey Park.

Senior center fielder Arielle Cox (Newport, Mich. / Jefferson) and junior designated player Caitlyn Keuvelaar (Essexville, Mich. / Garber) each had a hit and a run batted in as MU posted five base hits in the setback.

Sophomore righty Bree Crampton (New Baltimore, Mich. / Anchor Bay) suffered the loss, scattering eight hits while giving up five runs in her six and two-thirds innings of work. Crampton (16-12) struck out five while allowing three walks.

The Crusaders got on the board in the top of the third, plating two runs to take an early lead. Junior catcher Kristen Drabek (Newport, Mich. / St. Mary Catholic Central) led off with a single to center and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Junior third baseman Carlee Meek (Linden, Mich. / Lakeland) singled to left, moving Drabek to third and a fielder's choice off of Cox's bat plated Drabek for a 1-0 lead. Freshman Katelyn Taormina (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview) ran for Meek and came around when a ball was misplayed by the Panthers' infield, giving MU a 2-0 lead.

DU tied the game with a two-run homer from Debra Burton in the bottom of the third inning to pull even at 2-2.

MU took a 4-2 lead in the fifth when Keuvelaar singled home freshman second baseman Emma Cook (St. Clair, Mich. / Marysville) and junior first baseman Erin Mayes (Monroe, Mich. / Ida). Mayes was able to come home as well when the ball was misplayed in the outfield.

Another two-run homer by the Panthers, this one from KC Dunne, retied the game in the bottom of the fifth.

The next nine batters combined on both sides went down in order, brining the game to the last of the seventh, still tied at four.

After issuing a leadoff walk, Crampton was able to get back-to-back popouts to record the first two outs of the inning. Burton singled through the left side to put two on. Dunne was walked to load the bases and set up a force anywhere. Carli SanMillan then came up and hit a ball that bounced off the bag at first, allowing the runner to come home from third for the 5-4 win.

Sam Cole (21-6) earned the complete game victory for DU. Cole struck out five while scattering give hits in the win. Burton and Dunne each drove in a pair of runs for the Panthers.

MU now looks to keep its season alive with an elimination game against UM-Dearborn.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision

Box Score

Site: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Farmers Athletic Complex)
Score: Indiana Tech 3, Madonna 1
Records: MU (34-8), IT (30-15)
Next MU event: Thursday, May 2 – vs. Aquinas (Grand Rapids, Mich.) – 6 p.m.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The momentum of a walk-off win less than 24 hours earlier did not carry over to Thursday (May 2) as the No. 19-ranked Madonna University baseball team fell 3-1 to third-seeded Indiana Tech in the winner's bracket game of the 2013 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship at the Farmers Athletic Complex.

The loss sends MU into the loser's bracket and Tech into the driver's seat for the title. The Warriors would have to lose twice on Friday (May 3) to not advance to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.

Senior right fielder Brad Lineberry (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) led MU with two of the Crusaders' five hits. Junior catcher Donny Holland (White Lake, Mich. / Lakeland) drove in the lone MU run.

Senior righty Jeremy Gooding (Livonia, Mich. / Divine Child Catholic) took the loss for MU, his first of the season. Gooding (5-1) went eight innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out nine.

After three and a half scoreless innings, Indiana Tech got on the board in the fourth. Justin Kalusa reached on a one-out single and moved to second when Brian Brudi was hit by a pitch. Both runners moved up on stolen bases but an throwing error allowed Kalusa to score from third for a 1-0 lead.

Tech added another run in the sixth, getting singles from three of the first four batters of the frame to take a 2-0 lead.

MU cut its deficit in half in the eighth. Senior designated hitter Matthew Cook (Dresden, Ontario / Lambton Kent Secondary led off with a double and after moving to third on a ground out, came home on a sacrifice fly from Holland, making it 2-1.

Tech got that run back in the eighth on another error, this time a two-base miscue that allowed Ben Christian to score all the way from third for a 3-1 lead.

Freshman second baseman Shane Dokey (Howell, Mich. / Brighton) led off the ninth with a walk and moved to second on a single from Lineberry to put two on without an out. Both runners would end the game on base as Aaron Lewellyn got three straight fly balls to end the game and give Tech the 3-1 win.

Lewellyn went all nine innings, striking out three and scattering the five MU hits for his third win of the season. Kalusa led the Warriors with three hits.

MU faces off with Aquinas in an elimination game at 6 p.m. to try and keep its season alive.

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834

MUCrusaders on Facebook | @MUCrusaders on Twitter | Crusader Vision