LIVONIA, Mich. – Indiana Tech left it all on the field in the WHAC Tournament Championship on Friday, dropping a pair of tightly contested games to Madonna, 4-2 and 3-2.
The Warriors (33-15) were within striking distance all afternoon, but timely hitting from Madonna (44-4) proved to be the difference in both games.
In game one, Madonna jumped out early with two runs in the opening inning behind RBI hits from Faith Cramton and Rylee Fitzpatrick. Indiana Tech answered in the third when Morgan Macek delivered an RBI single to score Carly Basham and cut the deficit to 2-1.
Madonna extended its lead with runs in the third and fifth innings, once again fueled by Cramton and Brynn Anteau. The Warriors showed fight late, plating a run in the seventh on an RBI groundout from Allie Dolenc, but the comeback fell short in a 4-2 final.
Mackenzie Arroyo took the loss in the circle, tossing five innings, while Carlye Walter provided a scoreless inning of relief. Melissa Cabrera led Tech with a double, while Macek drove in a run.
Game two followed a similar script, with Madonna capitalizing early. A three-run second inning, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Faith Peschke, gave the Crusaders a 3-0 advantage.
Indiana Tech responded in the fourth inning. Melissa Cabrera sparked the offense with an RBI double, and Mae Griffore followed with an RBI single to bring the Warriors within one at 3-2.
Despite out-hitting Madonna 6-5, Tech was unable to find the equalizer over the final three innings. The Warriors threatened but couldn't capitalize, leaving the tying run just out of reach.
Savannah Bravo was strong in the circle, allowing just two earned runs while striking out five across five innings. Cabrera finished with another RBI double, while Macek recorded two hits to lead the offense.
Indiana Tech closes its conference postseason run at 33-15 after a strong push to the WHAC Championship, showing resilience and competitiveness against one of the top teams in the NAIA. The Warriors now turn their focus to the NAIA Opening Round, where they have earned a bid and will look to carry that momentum forward in pursuit of a national title and the program's next red banner.
