| Madonna at | 2nd of 8 |
| WHAC Jamboree No. 1 (Hosted by Davenport University - Stonewater Country Club - Caledonia, Mich.) | |
| results - recap | |
| Calvin College at | 3 |
| Madonna | 0 |
| stats - recap | |
| Davenport University at | 3:00pm |
| Madonna | EST |
| 11th Annual Julie Martin Memorial Classic (Livonia, Mich.) | |
| Rochester College at | 7:00pm |
| Madonna | EST |
| 11th Annual Julie Martin Memorial Classic (Livonia, Mich.) | |
Built in 2004, the current varsity baseball field was originally called Madonna University Ballpark. On October 8, 2005, the field was renamed Ilitch Ballpark after Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch donated funds, which allowed Madonna University to purchase scoreboards for both the baseball and softball fields.
At the field naming ceremony, many members of the Detroit Tigers organization were present, including Mike and Marian Ilitch, Dave Dombrowski, Willie Horton, Gates Brown and Jim Price, who served as the master of ceremonies during the event. Madonna University was represented by President Sister Rose Marie Kujawa, Vice-Presidents Sister Nancy Jamroz, Andrea Nodge, Leonard Wilhelm, Dr. Ernie Nolan, athletic director Bryan Rizzo and current assistant athletic director Matt Fancett.
The facility, which was designed by Grissim Metz Andriese Associates of Northville, Michigan, is the first on campus baseball field to be constructed at Madonna University.
Ilitch Ballpark, which was constructed by Midwest Landscape Group, Inc. of Commerce, Michigan, is an engineered field, built with sport bluegrass turf and pro style infield dirt, which is an exact replica of the playing surface used by the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The field is fully drain-tiled, fully irrigated and features 65-foot on grade dugouts on each baseline.
The playing surface has widely been recognized as the best collegiate surface in the state of Michigan. The dimensions of Ilitch Ballpark measure 325-feet down both foul lines, 375-feet to the gaps and 400-feet to straight-away center field.
Ilitch Ballpark has been the home to two conference championship clubs and hosted the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament in 2005 and 2006. Since the construction of the on campus field, Madonna has posted a 52-18 overall record in home contests.
During the summer months, Ilitch Ballpark is host to many high school tournaments, including regional and quarterfinal events, USSSA tournaments, the Detroit Tigers fantasy camp and showcases, including the Baseball Factory Midwest showcase.
Firsts at Ilitch Ballpark
First game: March 27, 2004 - 11-7 loss to Urbana University
First MU win: March 27, 2004 - 4-2 vs. Urbana University
First MU hit: Jason Barbeau (March 27, 2004 vs. Urbana) - single
First MU extra base hit: Preston Picard (March 27, 2004 vs. Urbana) - double
First MU run scored: Preston Picard (March 27, 2004 vs. Urbana)
First MU RBI: Preston Picard (March 27, 2004 vs. Urbana)
First strikeout by MU pitcher: Derek Dufrane (March 27, 2004 vs. Urbana)
First win by MU pitcher: Jeff Savage (March 27, 2004 vs. Urbana)
Other Streaks/Numbers at Ilitch Ballpark
Largest MU margin of victory: 21 vs. Rochester College (23-2 win - March 27, 2007)
Longest home win streak: 8 games (April 25, 2004 - April 10, 2005)
Longest home losing streak: 3 games (March 28-31, 2007)
MU overall record at Ilitch Ballpark: 52-18 (.743)
Madonna University's Ilitch Ballpark (Baseball) and University Field (Softball)
From Detroit
Take I-96 West to Newburgh Road. Turn right on Newburgh and follow north approximately ½ mile. As you go through the first light, you will see Ladywood High School on the right. This is the parking lot for Madonna University Field and Ilitch Ballpark. Please park at the north end of the lot and walk to the fields which will be on your left as you walk toward the black gate at the north end of the school.
From the North/East suburbs
Take I-696 West to I-275 south to I-96 east (exit is in the left two lines approximately 1 mile south of 6 mile). Immediately upon entering I-96 merge to the right and exit at Newburgh Rd./Levan Rd. Turn left onto Newburgh Road and follow north approximately ½ mile. As you go through the first light, you will see Ladywood High School on the right. This is the parking lot for our softball and baseball fields. Please park at the north end of the lot and walk to the fields which will be on your left as you walk toward the black gate at the north end of the school.
From the South (Ohio)
Take I-275 north to I-96 east. Stay in the right lane on I-96 and exit at the first ramp, Newburgh Rd./Levan Rd. Turn left onto Newburgh Road and follow north approximately ½ mile. As you go through the first light, you will see Ladywood High School on the right. This is the parking lot for Madonna University Field and Ilitch Ballpark. Please park at the north end of the lot and walk to the fields which will be on your left as you walk toward the black gate at the north end of the school.
From the South West (Kalamazoo, Jackson, Ann Arbor)
Take I-94 east to M-14 east to I-96 east. Immediately upon entering I-96 merge to the right and exit at Newburgh Rd./Levan Rd. Turn left onto Newburgh Road and follow north approximately ½ mile. As you go through the first light, you will see Ladywood High School on the right. This is the parking lot for Madonna University Field and Ilitch Ballpark. Please park at the north end of the lot and walk to the fields which will be on your left as you walk toward the black gate at the north end of the school.
From the West/Northwest (Grand Rapids/Lansing)
Take I-96 east to I-275 south to I-96 east (exit is in the left two lines approximately 1 mile south of 6 mile). Immediately upon entering I-96 merge to the right and exit at Newburgh Rd./Levan Rd. Turn left onto Newburgh Road and follow north approximately ½ mile. As you go through the first light, you will see Ladywood High School on the right. This is the parking lot for Madonna University Field and Ilitch Ballpark. Please park at the north end of the lot and walk to the fields which will be on your left as you walk toward the black gate at the north end of the school.
From the North (Saginaw and points north)
Take I-75 south to US 23 south to I-96 east to I-275 south to I-96 east (exit is in the left two lines approximately 1 mile south of 6 mile). Immediately upon entering I-96 merge to the right and exit at Newburgh Rd./Levan Rd. Turn left onto Newburgh Road and follow north approximately ½ mile. As you go through the first light, you will see Ladywood High School on the right. This is the parking lot for Madonna University Field and Ilitch Ballpark. Please park at the north end of the lot and walk to the fields which will be on your left as you walk toward the black gate at the north end of the school.
