Madonna limited Lourdes to just seven hits over two games on Friday afternoon as the Crusaders swept a doubleheader from the Gray Wolves 5-1 and 4-0 at Mercy Field.
 
Lourdes got solid starting pitching from Drew Lepiarz (Toledo, Ohio/Start H.S.) and Frank Shaffer (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg H.S.), but tallied just two extra base hits in the game, both doubles by Matt York (Oregon, Ohio/Clay H.S.).
 
"Once again we got great pitching," head coach Andy Ham said.  "It was a very frustrating day at the plate though.  We didn't square anything up with the exception of Matt."
 
In the opener Madonna jumped on top with a run in the third, taking advantage of two singles and two walks.  The Crusaders added single runs in the fifth and seven innings as well as two more in the ninth.  All five runs that scored reached base originally via walk.
 
Lourdes plated its lone run in the bottom of the eighth, as Nate Snow (Tucson, Ariz./Palo Verde H.S.) led off with a walk.  After a wild pitch, York's double to left plated Jonathan Barker (Sylvania, Ohio/Southview H.S), who came on to run for Snow.  The Gray Wolves then loaded the bases with just one out, but an inning ending double play ended the threat.
 
Levi Larmour went 3-for-5 at the plate for Madonna in the opener, collecting half of the Crusaders' hits.
 
Adam Prashad earned the win (6-1) for the Crusaders on the mound, allowing one run and four hits in 7.1 innings of work.  Bobby St. Pierre, who induced the eighth inning double play, tossed a scoreless ninth as well to earn his eighth save of the year.  Lepiarz suffered the loss, surrendering three runs and five hits in eight innings.  He walked six and struck out four.
 
Todd Jones spun a two-hit complete game shutout (2-2) for Madonna in game two, walking three and striking out four while allowing just two hits.
 
Madonna scored a run in the first and added another unearned run in the sixth inning.  Lourdes threatened in the bottom of the sixth, as Barker walked and York doubled with no one out, but Jones tallied a strikeout before inducing a groundout and flyout to end the threat.
 
The Crusaders added two insurance runs in the seventh to close out the scoring.
 
Shaffer went 6.1 innings, allowing four runs, three of which were earned, on 10 hits while striking out two.  He did not walk anyone in the loss (0-6). 
 
Lourdes (9-28, 5-18 WHAC) and Madonna (31-11, 21-4) will close out their four-game weekend series on Saturday afternoon with another doubleheader at Mercy Field.  First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.