APR. 11 — Squad Struggles In Non-Conference Road Trip
Madonna hands Leafs 3-13 and 3-18 defeats in middle of MCC sandwich

Livonia, MI — With the Mid-Central Conference race heating up and every league game of vital importance, the Goshen College baseball schedule read “Madonna University” on Tuesday.

The Leafs promptly treated the host Crusaders as an out-of-league competitor.

Madonna dealt Goshen (11-26, 5-9) a pair of five-inning losses at Ilitch Field Tuesday afternoon, winning the first by a 13-3 score and the second contest by an 18-3 count. The Leafs collected just eight total hits on the day, suffering its worst defeat of the season in the latter game.

“We obviously did not play well,” said Josh Keister, Goshen head coach. “With four MCC games coming up at the end of this week, we don’t have time to dwell on today, however.”

Madonna’s lead in both contests happened quickly, as the Crusaders opened with five-run first innings in both games. In the first, Goshen trailed by a 9-0 count before putting a pair of runs on the board in the fourth inning, where freshman Kyle Koch singled to drive in the second of two. A Crusader wild pitch enabled sophomore Mike Staehle to score, who reached base on a fielder’s choice.

The Leafs added a run in the top of the fifth inning as well, when senior Greg Koop reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring sophomore Mark Springer.

Freshman Ian Swartz (0-2) was saddled with the loss on the mound, tossing just three innings while giving up nine runs, all of which were earned. Koop pitched one full inning of work as well, allowing four runs to score though just one was earned.

Things got no better for Goshen in the second game, as again Madonna exploded offensively out of the gate. Five runs in each of the first three innings put the Leafs significantly behind, as the team’s three runs in the second and third innings were no match for the Crusaders’ eruption.

Junior Nate Colclasure led the team offensively in the second contest, going 2-2 from the plate while scoring a run. Sophomore Alex Childers was 1-2 with two RBI, while junior Brian Shelton was 1-3 with a run scored. Koop laced his fifth double of the year in a 1-3 effort from the plate.

Senior Dan Fensler (1-6) suffered the pitching loss, going two and one-third innings while giving up 15 of Madonna’s 18 scores. Freshman Landon Rorher came on in relief, throwing one and two thirds while striking out two.

Goshen will look to get back to its winning ways on Thursday afternoon, when the team hosts the first two of a four-game series with MCC rival Spring Arbor University. Game time for the first contest is set for 1 p.m. Thursday.