COLUMBUS, Ga. - [Watch On-Demand] Madonna (Mich.) erased a late deficit with a five-run sixth inning to defeat Indiana Wesleyan (41-14) 6-3 to escape having to play a second game later on today at South Commons Complx. 

Madonna (49-4) struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Rylee Fitzpatrick ripped an RBI double down the right-field line for a 1-0 lead. Indiana Wesleyan answered in the second as Leah May singled to left field to score pinch runner Emma Wiberg and tie the game at 1-1.

The Wildcats took control in the fifth inning by manufacturing two runs with aggressive small-ball execution and pressure on the defense. Danica Fuller laid down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a throwing error, allowing a run to score. Another Madonna miscue in right field plated an additional run, and one batter later, Courtney Thomas executed another sacrifice bunt that brought home Fuller to push Indiana Wesleyan ahead 3-1. One of the runs in the inning was unearned.

The Crusaders responded immediately in the bottom of the sixth. Regan Finkbeiner opened the rally with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-2 before Ashley Rosiewicz delivered the biggest hit of the game, a two-run double to left-center field that gave Madonna a 4-3 lead. Madonna added two more runs later in the inning as a wild pitch brought home Rosiewicz, and Fitzpatrick drove in another run after reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop, capping the five-run outburst.

Madonna finished with eight hits and five walks. Fitzpatrick went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Rosiewicz also drove in two runs with her sixth-inning double. Brynn Anteau added a strong performance at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored.

Indiana Wesleyan totaled five hits and one walk in the loss. Sara Ruble went 2-for-3, and May recorded the Wildcats’ lone RBI.

In the circle, Madonna combined efforts from two pitchers. Camille Oyer worked three innings and allowed one run before Anna Battagin earned the win in relief, surrendering two runs — one earned — across four innings. Indiana Wesleyan starter Avery Toole took the loss after 5 1/3 innings as Madonna’s decisive sixth inning featured timely hits, walks, a wild pitch and defensive miscues.

Madonna advances to play Mobile (Ala.) Sunday, May 24 at 5 p.m. ET.