Heather Richardson connects on a grand slam that put MU up 5-1 in game two Sunday.

G1 Box Score | G2 Box Score
LIVONIA, Mich. --

Behind eight Erin Brockert strikeouts in game one and a pair of grand slams in game two, the Crusader softball team swept visiting Indiana Tech on Senior Day at MU Field by finals of 8-2 and 9-1. With the wins MU is now 32-11 and finishes the WHAC season at 10-9 and advances to the NAIA Region VIII tournament.

In game one, MU struck first, plating a run in the bottom of the third inning as Heather Richardson was hit by a pitch to open the frame and a double by Brockert scored pinch runner Lynzee Smith for a 1-0 Crusader edge.

The Crusaders added six more runs in the bottom of the fifth to extend the lead to 7-0. Hannah Godfrey was hit by a pitch to open the inning and was followed by back-to-back singles by Richardson and Brockert. An Alison Grant double down the right field line plated Godfrey and Richardson. Stephanie Day followed Grant with a double of her own to score Brockert and pinch runner Kathleen Smiley, making it 5-0.The scoring barrage concluded with a Christina Finch homer to center, plating two more for the 7-0 edge after five innings.

Tech tried to mount a comeback in the sixth, scoring two on a home run to left, but MU got one of those runs back in the bottom half of the inning for the 8-2 final.

Brockert set the single season strikeout record with her eight, passing the old record of  157 which was held since the 2004 season by Kelly Nilson. She also had a banner day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a RBI. Finch also went 3-for-4 and had two RBIs of her own.

In the nightcap Tech got on the board first, plating a run in the opening inning to take a 1-0 lead.

The Madonna bats were held quiet until the bottom of the third when Heather Richardson reached on a one-out double and scored on a Brockert double to left to tie the game at 1-1.

The Crusaders broke out the heavy lumber in the fourth inning behind the strength of a Richardson grand slam after MU had loaded the bases via a Warrior error, a walk and a fielder’s choice that was mis-played to set the stage for Richardson’s homer over the wall in left, giving the home team a 5-1 cushion.

Madonna wasn’t done hitting yet, as in the bottom of the sixth, MU loaded the bases again, this time via a hit batter, a single and another Tech error to set the stage for Grant’s grand slam giving the Crusaders a 9-1 run-rule win to complete the sweep.

Brockert picked up the win in relief, striking out two and not allowing a run in three and two-thirds innings to improve to 19-7 on the season.  Richardson was 2-for-4 with four RBIs and Grant also drove in four in the game.

Contact:
Matt Fancett, Sports Information Director
(734) 432-5610
mfancett@madonna.edu