Madonna Wins First Ever WHAC Tournament Title

May 3, 2007

Site: Grand Rapids, Mich. (AQ Softball Field)
Scores: Madonna 9, Aquinas 4
Records: MU (32-14), AQ (30-17)
Next MU Event: Tuesday, May 8 -- at NAIA Region VIII Tournament -- Battle Creek, Mich., TBA

		From left to right - Christina Finch, Heather Richardson, Shannon Noder and Liz Ballinger

BOX SCORE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Madonna softball team captured their first ever WHAC tournament championship, defeating top-seeded Aquinas College 9-4 Wednesday afternoon.

With the win, Madonna becomes the top-seed from the WHAC at next week's NAIA Region VIII tournament in Battle Creek, Michigan.

The Crusaders pounced on the host team with three runs in the first inning after a two RBI single by sophomore Alison Grant (Carleton, Mich./Airport HS) and another RBI single by sophomore Tedi Johnston (New Boston, Mich./Huron HS).

Madonna had their first two batters reach base in the second inning which prompted Aquinas head coach Ronda Varnesdeel to lift Alyssa Fleser from the circle in favor of Mallory Schrauben.  Freshman Brittney Scero (Canton, Mich./Canton HS) stepped in at the plate for MU and grounded out to shortstop on the first pitch to Schrauben and sophomore Danielle Richardson (Lapeer, Mich./Lapeer West HS) scooted home to score the Crusaders third run of the contest.

Aquinas would get on the board in the third inning after four straight hits, including an RBI single by Karissa Saterlee.  Courtney Miles would single later in the inning to send home the Saints' second run and cut MU's lead to two runs (4-2).

Madonna pushed their lead back to four runs after Johnston belted a two-run homer to left field, scoring freshman Caitlyn Sidor (Livonia, Mich./Churchill HS).

Junior Christina Finch (Albion, Mich./Homer HS) would drive in the seventh run of the contest for Madonna in the fourth after hitting a sacrifice fly to right field which scored Scero from third base.

MU would plate two more runs in the fifth inning after an RBI double by Richardson and an RBI single by Scero.

Aquinas would threaten in the seventh inning with a pair of runs, but senior left-hander Shannon Noder (Lincoln Park, Mich./Lincoln Park HS) stranded three Saints on the bases to help the Crusaders clinch the tournament championship.

Noder moved to 17-8 overall on the season after scattering 12 hits and giving up four runs while striking out two in the win.

Richardson led the Crusaders offensive attack with a 3-for-3 performance with an RBI.  Johnston went 2-for-2 at the plate with three RBIs to help the Crusaders cause.

Madonna will await the bracket in the upcoming NAIA Region VIII Tournament which kicks off Tuesday in Battle Creek.


Contact:
Tony Baldwin, Sports Information Director
(734) 432-5834
tbaldwin@madonna.edu