Livonia, Mich. – The Saints made up their rain-delayed WHAC Tournament Championship game against the No. 11-ranked Madonna Crusaders today (May 6). Naturally, Madonna pitched Maeson Schlaud once again. Schalud had started the last 25 games for Madonna and had received the winning decision in every one of those games. Today increased her streak to 26 as the ace held AQ to one hit over seven innings and locked up a sweep of the regular season and tournament championships for Madonna.

The Crusaders scored all three of their runs in the fourth inning and that was the difference in the championship game. The result now makes Madonna back-to-back tournament champions for the first time since 2010 when Madonna won four consecutive conference tournaments.

#11 Madonna 3, Aquinas 0

AQ had its best chance to score right in the top of the first inning. Emma Houseman reached base on a rare one-out error from MU's second baseman. Katie Carlson then struck Aquinas' lone hit of the contest to bring two runners on with just one out. However, a strikeout followed by a flyout to left field ended that scoring opportunity.

Madonna retired the ensuing nine AQ batters before the tournament champions scored their runs in the fourth frame. Four singles and two walks accounted for all three of MU's runs.

The Crusaders stranded a handful of runners between the fifth and sixth innings, but that was all of the remaining offense for the game. The No. 11-ranked team retired 20 consecutive Saints to end the game.

By the Numbers

• Sophia Pavese pitched 3.2 innings, allowing five hits, three earned runs, and striking out three.
• Grace Maguire pitched the remaining 2.1 innings while allowing three hits and no earned runs.
• Katie Carlson had AQ's only hit, going 1-3 at the plate with a single.

Up Next

Since Madonna won the regular season and conference tournament titles, the second automatic bid from the WHAC was granted to Aquinas for finishing as conference runner-up to Madonna in the tournament.

48 teams will compete at nationals at 10 opening sites throughout the United States. Two opening round sites will play four-team brackets and eight sites will play five-team brackets. These games will be played from May 13-16. The winners of each bracket will advance to Columbus, Georgia to compete in the NAIA Softball World Series starting on May 23.
AQ's host site will be determined at 5:00 PM during the NAIA National Selection Show tomorrow.

SELECTION SHOW LINK | OPENING HOST SITES INFORMATION