COLUMBIA, Ky. - The top-seeded Lindsey Wilson softball team fell 3-1 to No. 3-seed Madonna (Mich.) in the NAIA Opening Round on Tuesday at Sparks Park. Two sixth-inning home runs by the Crusaders proved to be the difference as Madonna defeated the Blue Raiders for the second time in a row in the postseason.

Lindsey Wilson wasted no time getting on the board. Lexi Isable began the first with a single and then stole second. With one out, Mikayla Marquez sent a ground ball up the middle and into center. Isable hustled around third and beat out the throw home for the opening run.

One frame later, the Crusaders tied the game. A one-out double put a runner in scoring position for Madonna, which the Crusaders capitalized on with an RBI-single two batters later. 

From that point on, it was a pitching-dominant contest. Both squads only managed two combined hits and six strikeouts over the following three-and-a-half innings. 

Unfortunately, Madonna was able to send two balls over the fence in the sixth inning to claim a 3-1 lead. 

The Blue Raiders tried to rally in the final frame. Sam Sims earned a walk to begin the inning and advanced to second on a Carissa Summers one-out base knock. However, a strikeout and a groundout ended any chance of a Lindsey Wilson comeback and the Blue Raiders were defeated for the first time in the opening round. 

Annabelle Ramirez (26-6) took the loss after giving up three runs on six hits but issued no walks over six innings pitched. Additionally, she struck out six. 

Marquez was one of three Blue Raiders to record a hit in the contest. She also notched an RBI over three at-bats. Isable went 1-for-2 with Lindsey Wilson's lone run. 

The Blue Raiders fall to the consolation bracket and take the field later today at 6 p.m. CT in an elimination game against the winner of No. 2-seed Saint Xavier (Ill.) and No. 4-seed Brenau (Ga.).