[Softball] Madonna Advances to NAIA Softball World Series; Aquinas Withdraws from Opening Round

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (DAY ONE RECAP | DAY TWO RECAP   |  DAY THREE RECAP)  - Madonna emerged from the 2021 NAIA Softball Opening Round to advance to its fifth World Series appearance after winning the Columbia (Ky.) Bracket as a No. 3 seed. Aquinas qualified as the WHAC champion, but was forced to withdrawl prior to the start of the Opening Round due to COVID-19 protocols. 

Madonna (33-9) was one of the seven No. 3 or No. 4 seeds that won their respective brackets in the 10 Opening Round sites. Only two No. 1 seeds won and only one No. 2 seed advanced. MU won its first two games before losing in the first title game to force the if necessary game. There, Madonna def. St. Xavier for the second time to advance. The Crusaders are seeded sixth for the World Series May 27-June 2 at South Commons in Columbus, Ga. and will face Olivet Nazarene (Ill.).