Saint Francis Earns Walk-Off Win Over Madonna

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) baseball team earned a 15-14 walk-off victory over the visiting Madonna University Crusaders in a non-conference game at the Cougar Baseball Field on Tuesday, April 1. 

After Madonna capitalized on an error to score a run in the top of the first inning, Kasen Oribello responded by driving in a run to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom half of the inning. The Crusaders then took a 5-1 lead in the top of the second, using an RBI single and a three-run home run. The Cougars answered, scoring six runs in the second to retake a one-run lead. An RBI double from Brenden Lytle, two singles from Eli Riley and Oribello and an RBI walk from Ayden Lichtensteiger highlighted the inning for Saint Francis. In the bottom of the third inning, with the bases loaded, Jayden Lepper singled through the left side to drive in another run, making the score 7-5. Oribello followed up with a grand slam, extending Saint Francis's lead to 11-5 with no outs on the board. Callan Stauffer added to the momentum by hitting a single through the left side, bringing in another run for the Cougars. Lytle then capped off the third inning with an RBI single to center field, giving USF a 13-5 lead. Madonna rallied in the fourth and fifth innings to retake the lead, with the score at 14-13 in favor of the Crusaders. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Riley stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and drew an RBI walk to tie the game at 14-14. Neither team scored in the seventh or eighth innings, leaving the score tied as they entered the ninth inning. Bryce Adams entered the game to pitch in the ninth inning, striking out two batters before catching a runner stealing second to keep Madonna off the scoreboard. With two outs in the bottom half of the inning, Lichtensteiger scored on a passed ball to give USF the 15-14 walk-off win. 

Adams got the win on the mound for Saint Francis after stopping Madonna from retaking the lead in the last inning. 

The Cougars recorded 18 hits as a team and were awarded 10 walks. Oribello went 3-5 at the plate with seven RBIs and his ninth home run of the season. Xavier Nolan also had a strong performance, hitting 3-for-4 with four runs scored, a stolen base, and a double. Meanwhile, Riley contributed two RBIs and a stolen base, and Lytle went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

Up next, the Cougars (16-16, 13-7) will host Taylor University on Thursday, April 3 for the first two games of a four-game series starting at 1:00 p.m. USF baseball will host Taylor for the final two games of the series on Friday, April 4. 

Cougar fans can stay updated on all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com.