Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Aquinas softball team entered yesterday's (Apr. 14) doubleheader against No. 20 Madonna on a seven-game winning streak as the number two team in the conference. Madonna was 12-0 in conference play as the two sides battled for the top spot in the WHAC.

Aquinas played both of its games against the two-time WHAC Pitcher of the Year, Maeson Schlaud. Schlaud held the Saints to just one hit in game one and scoreless in game two to end the Saints' win streak and move to 20-2 on the season.

Game 1: Madonna 8, Aquinas 0 (5 Innings)

Madonna started the top of the first with three walks and a run. This prompted an early Aquinas pitching change, but a bases-clearing double had the Crusaders ahead 3-0 after the first frame. MU doubled that lead to six after the second inning with another three hits and an Aquinas error.

Emma Houseman hit a shallow single to left center and that would be the lone hit for AQ all game. Incredible pitching and defense from the Crusaders all game kept the Saints out of the hit column.

The game quieted down into a defensive battle until a walk and a home run in the fifth inning for the nationally ranked side put Madonna up by eight and entered the game into mercy territory. A one-two-three bottom of the fifth cut the game short for an 8-0 MU victory.

Game 2: Madonna 2, Aquinas 0

This contest was a defensive battle throughout its entirety. The Crusaders scored an unearned run in the top of the first due to an AQ error and that lone run would prove to be the difference.

The Saints outhit the Crusaders with multiple hits coming in the first and fourth innings. However, AQ just couldn't string together enough offense to bring a run across home plate.

Madonna scored an insurance run in the top of the seventh to end the contest 2-0.

Grace Maguire pitched a great game despite the losing decision. She allowed just six hits and one earned run over seven innings inside the circle against the No. 20 team in the country.

By the Numbers
A big story in the series was Madonna's defense. The Crusaders played errorless softball over 12 innings and made several incredible diving catches throughout both games.

Houseman had three of AQ's nine hits as she continuously found ways to get on base. Elizabeth Haunhorst also had two hits in the second game.

Up Next

The Saints will have a couple of days of rest before taking on Lawrence Tech on the road this Wednesday (Apr. 17). The games are scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.