LIVONIA, Mich. – In game one against Madonna University, Lawrence Tech nearly erased a four-run deficit in the final two innings, but Madonna held on for a 12-11 win after answering the Blue Devils' sixth-inning surge with a decisive bottom half of its own.

Lawrence Tech scored single runs in the first, third and fifth, Madonna broke the game open with six runs in the bottom of the fourth to move in front 8-2. Madonna struck again in the sixth, this time using a three-run homer as part of a four-run frame that restored control after Lawrence Tech had pulled even.

Lawrence Tech's best push came in the top of the sixth. Trailing 8-3, the Blue Devils erupted for five runs to tie the game at 8-8. Brady Rogers delivered an RBI single during the rally with Madonna committing an error that allowed additional runs to score. The comeback continued into the seventh, when Lawrence Tech plated three more runs to cut the deficit to 12-11. Rogers drove in another run, bringing the Blue Devils within one and giving them a chance to complete the rally.

Rogers led Lawrence Tech's offense with a 3-for-4 performance that included four runs scored, four RBI and a double. Justin Baird added three hits, two RBI and two walks as the Blue Devils finished with 13 hits to pressure Madonna throughout the night. Lawrence Tech scored in five of the seven innings and stranded 10 runners.

Madonna did most of its damage with timely extra-base hits despite being out-hit 13-10. A first-inning home run to left field gave Madonna an early start. The Blue Devils produced 11 runs, five walks and a late charge that nearly flipped the game, but Madonna's six-run fourth and four-run sixth proved just enough to withstand the comeback in the seven-inning contest.

In game two, Lawrence Tech grabbed the first run, but Madonna answered with a decisive seven-run bottom of the first inning and went on to hand the Blue Devils a 20-6 loss. Madonna's first-inning outburst featured a two-run double and a key run-producing sequence involving a wild pitch and Lawrence Tech miscues that helped push the score to 7-1. That early swing set the tone for a game in which Madonna scored again in the third, fourth and sixth innings, finishing with 17 hits and capitalizing on two Lawrence Tech errors.

Lawrence Tech responded in the second when Andrew Gingle hit a double bringing in a run followed by Brady Lee with a two-run single as the Blue Devils trimmed the deficit to 7-4. Luke Weinberger added to the offensive effort in the fourth with an RBI double, while recording a triple earlier in the game. Ty Schornak connected for a solo home run in the fifth to make it 14-6. Weinberger finished as one of Lawrence Tech's top performers with two hits, including a triple and a double.

Madonna kept answering every push. The Crusaders put together a four-run fourth inning that included a two-run single along with a RBI double that briefly cut the margin to five. Madonna broke it open for good with six runs in the sixth.

Lawrence Tech finished with six runs on nine hits and left six runners on base. The Blue Devils' pitching staff worked six innings, allowing 20 runs, 16 earned, on 17 hits with five walks and six strikeouts over 160 pitches.

The Blue Devils are set to compete against Cleary University Monday, April 13 home at UWM Field in Utica, Mich.