Grand Rapids, Mich. – Cornerstone Baseball had a big weekend ahead of themselves as they began their first two games of a four-game series versus the Crusaders of Madonna University. The Golden Eagles went into the final regular season series needing at least two wins in order to make it into the WHAC Tournament.
Madonna University took game one of the series 14-4 over the Golden Eagles, despite a 400-foot bomb from Corbin Westerkamp over the fence that brought in two runs for Cornerstone in the bottom of the sixth inning of play. The second game saw another homerun from Corbin Westerkamp that tied up the game in the bottom of the sixth 4-4. But a solo homerun in the top of the ninth sealed the doubleheader sweep for the Crusaders 5-4 over the Golden Eagles.
The Golden Eagles continue the four-game series versus the Crusaders with games three and four on Saturday, April 25, beginning at 1 p.m.
Game One Recap: Cornerstone – 4 Madonna – 14
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The Crusaders got on the board first in game one with a two-run homerun in the top of the first inning. Madonna led 2-0.
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Madonna kept the runs coming in the top of the second inning, as two runners made it home for the Crusaders to put them up 4-0.
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Cornerstone was held to no runs in the first three innings, and managed to keep the Crusaders silent in the top of the third and the top of the fourth to give the Golden Eagles a chance to get back in the contest.
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Corbin Westerkamp lined it to left field and sent Steve Hoeksema home to score the first run of the series for Cornerstone University, who still trailed going into the top of the fifth inning 4-1.
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The top of the fifth inning saw the Crusaders to one more run to stay on top 5-1, but a successful pick-off from Andrew Meny to Michael Ruiz closed out the top of the fifth to keep the contest close.
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The top of the sixth inning was a long one for Cornerstone's defense, as Madonna put up five runs that extended their lead 10-1.
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An RBI double by Drew Goodman in the bottom of the sixth inning sought to keep Cornerstone's hope alive in game one of the doubleheader, as Cornerstone remained behind 10-2.
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A 400-foot blast by Corbin Westerkamp brought in Drew Goodman to score the fourth run for the Golden Eagles in the bottom of the sixth inning. Madonna remained on top 10-4.
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A two-run homerun and a total of four runs in the top of the seventh inning for Madonna saw them cement a dominant lead as Cornerstone head into the final inning of the contest down by 10-runs 14-4. The Crusaders closed out game one with the win over Cornerstone 14-4.
Game Two Recap: Cornerstone – 4 Madonna – 5
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The top of the first was quiet for Madonna, as Jaden Franceschine wrapped it up quickly for Cornerstone's defense. The Golden Eagles got on the board first in game two thanks to a Luke Griffith double, Cornerstone went up 1-0.
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Another Luke Griffith double in the bottom of the third inning saw Cornerstone stay within one run of the Crusaders who led 3-2.
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The RBI double by Michael Ruiz in the bottom of the fourth inning sent Grant DeRose home to tie up game two 3-3.
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Another homer on the day from Corbin Westerkamp in the bottom of the sixth inning tied the game back up late 4-4.
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The final run of the game was a solo homerun in the top of the ninth inning that sealed the 2-0 day for the Crusaders. The game two final score was 5-4, Crusaders over the Golden Eagles.
By the Numbers:
3/2/4 – Corbin Westerkamp led the Golden Eagles on the day with three hits, two homeruns, and four total RBIs between the two contests.
2/2 – The second game saw Luke Griffith hit two doubles with two RBIs in the close second game.
What's Next?
The Golden Eagles continue the four-game series versus the Crusaders with games three and four on Saturday, April 25, beginning at 1 p.m.
Baseball Contact: Mason Young | mason.young@cornerstone.edu
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