Crusaders Softball Capture First NAIA National Championship in Program History

COLUMBUS, GA. - History was made Thursday, May 28, as Madonna Softball captured its first national championship in program history.

The No. 1-seeded Crusaders completed an incredible season by defeating No. 2 Southeastern University, 8-4, in the NAIA National Championship Game at the South Commons Softball Complex. The victory secured Madonna's first-ever softball national title and capped a remarkable campaign that saw the Crusaders finish with 52 wins to emerge as the last team standing in the NAIA.

Southeastern Strikes First, Crusaders Answer

After a scoreless opening from both teams, Southeastern University broke through in the top of the third inning with a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead.

Madonna answered immediately in the bottom of the frame:

• Ashley Rosiewicz sparked the rally with a single.
• Brynn Anteau reached base and Faith Cramton followed with a hit to load the bases.
• Rylee Fitzpatrick drove in Madonna's first run.
• Jessica Dunkel kept the line moving with a hit, and Carson Kuhlmann reached on an error that brought home two more runs.
• Faith Peschke capped the explosive inning with an RBI single, giving Madonna a 4-2 lead.

Regaining the Lead

Southeastern fought back to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the fourth, but the Crusaders turned up the heat to regain control almost immediately.

Rosiewicz started another rally and scored the go-ahead run before Kuhlmann delivered a clutch, two-run single that plated Cramton and Fitzpatrick, extending the Crusader advantage to 7-4.

Insurance Runs & Dominant Pitching

The Crusaders added an insurance run late in the sixth inning. After Anteau walked and Cramton singled, Ella Thomas advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Dunkel then drove Anteau home with a sacrifice fly, pushing the Crusaders' lead to four. In total, Madonna's offense pounded out 11 hits in the championship game.

In the circle, Madonna utilized a three-pitcher committee of Camille Oyer, Sara Austin, and Anna Battagin. The pitching staff surrendered just one unearned run, with Battagin earning the victory after retiring the final six Southeastern batters she faced.

National Champions

When the final out was sealed, the Crusaders stormed the field to celebrate the first national championship in program history, capping one of the most successful seasons Madonna athletics has ever seen.