Dunkel Grand Slam Send Madonna (Mich.) to the 2026 NAIA Softball World Series Title Game

COLUMBUS, Ga. – [Watch On-Demand] Madonna (Mich.) used one explosive inning at the plate and another steady performance in the circle from Camille Oyer to defeat Southeastern (Fla.) 8-2 to punch a ticket to the NAIA Softball World Series title game on Wednesday.

Southeastern (50-9) struck first in the top of the opening inning. Ella Brooks reached base and later scored when Raylei McKinney reached on a fielding error by Madonna (51-4) shortstop Ashley Rosiewicz, giving the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.

Madonna responded with a game-changing third inning. After Regan Finkbeiner scored on an RBI single from Brynn Anteau to tie the game, Jessica Dunkel delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon with a grand slam to left field that put Madonna ahead 5-1. All five runs in the inning were ruled unearned following Southeastern’s lone error, charged to catcher Nicole Wasserstrom.

The Crusaders added insurance runs in the sixth inning. Faith Peschke lined a two-run single up the middle before Anteau added another RBI single to extend the lead to 8-1.

Southeastern scored its final run in the seventh when Maria Zelenka crossed the plate on an RBI fielder’s choice by Abby Franey, but the Fire could not mount a comeback.

Dunkel finished 1-for-2 with the grand slam and four RBIs, while Anteau went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Peschke also contributed a strong performance at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a walk. Madonna totaled 10 hits and drew four walks in the victory.

For Southeastern, Zelenka went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Wasserstrom added a double as part of the Fires’ six-hit effort. Southeastern did not strike out in the game but struggled to sustain rallies against Oyer.

Oyer remained unbeaten in the circle, improving to 24-0 after allowing two earned runs on six hits across six innings without issuing a walk or recording a strikeout. Her ability to induce weak contact and pitch efficiently kept Southeastern from building offensive momentum. Edan Playa took the loss for Southeastern, falling to 18-5 after allowing five runs in 2 2/3 innings. Emma Vickers worked the final three innings and allowed three earned runs. 

The Fire will take on the winner of game 16, possibly at 4 p.m. ET today, while the Crusaders have the remainder of the day off and await their opponent in the national title game on Wednesday.