NEW MANCHESTER — The Madonna baseball team stayed mentally tough.

Madonna led Hancock County rival Oak Glen by three runs in the fourth, however, the Golden Bears ended up battling back and tying the score. The game remained tied in the seventh, however, the Blue Dons were able to push the game-winning run across in the top of the inning and Madonna held on to defeat Oak Glen, 6-5, Friday

Friday night up at Oak Glen.

With the win, Madonna gets back to .500 at 8-8. Oak Glen is 8-15 with the loss.

Sam Brooks walked with one out to get things started for the Blue Dons in the seventh, and he moved to third on a double by Evan Kaczmarek to put two runners in scoring position. Then, Brooks scored the go-ahead run on a balk making the score, 6-5. Brooks advanced to third on the play. Luke Wingett was then issued a walk to put runners on the corners, and the catcher advanced to second on a passed ball. The opportunity was there with two runners on, however, a strikeout ended the inning keeping it a one-run game.

The Golden Bears had a final chance in their half of the seventh, however, Oak Glen was not able to extend the ballgame as the hosts were retired in order on a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to bring things to a close.

Reno Fuscardo — Madonna’s third pitcher of the game — recorded the win in relief. Fuscardo struck out three and walked two in his three innings of work on the mound. Jacob Lazear started the game for the Blue Dons, and he struck out five walking two in his two innings of work before being relieved by Kaczmarek. Kaczmarek collected two strikeouts and two walks in his two innings on the mound.

Gannon Cline took the loss in relief for Oak Glen. Cline struck out two and walked two in his one inning of work in relief of starter Luke Buckler. Buckler pitched the first six innings recording four strikeouts while walking two.

Madonna struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Reno Fuscardo walked, stole second and moved up to third on a groundout. Lazear walked to put runners on the corners, and Brooks singled to left scoring Fuscardo to give the Blue Dons an early 1-0 lead. Lazear advanced to second on the single, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kaczmarek to make the score, 2-0. Brennan Gray followed with a walk to give the visitors another baserunner, however, a pop-up to second ended the inning.

Oak Glen got a run back in its half of the second. Camm Dittman walked to lead off the inning, and he scored on an error to pull the Golden Bears to within 2-1. Christian Chappell reached second the play, however, the catcher was stranded there following three strikeouts.

The Blue Dons increased their advantage with two more runs in the third. Lazear singled to start the inning, and he scored on Kaczmarek’s triple to right to make it, 3-1. Then, Gray singled to center plating Kaczmarek making the score, 4-1. Madonna was unable to add to its lead as a strikeout ended the inning.

The Golden Bears answered with a run in the home half of the inning. Dittman singled to start the inning, stole second and moved to third on a groundout before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Sam Jenkins to cut his team’s deficit down to 4-2.

The victors scored for the third-straight inning in the fourth. With one out, Connor Lancaster belted a triple to center, and he scored on a sacrifice fly by Fuscardo to regain a three-run lead for Madonna at 5-2.

The hosts trailed by three runs once again, however, the Golden Bears refused to throw in the towel as they plated a run in the bottom of the inning to stay close. Bryce Cooper singled to start the inning, and Noah Willey walked to put two runners on base. After a strikeout, James Rohbeck walked to load the bases, and Cooper scored on a sacrifice fly by Zach Jenkins to make it a 5-3 ballgame. The Blue Dons were able to get out of the inning thanks to a strikeout.

The Blue Dons were retired in order in the fifth, and the Golden Bears responded with a pair of runs in their half of the inning to knot the score at 5-all. With one out, Sam Jenkins singled to start the inning, he advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on a double by Wyatt Cyfers Markowicz to cut Oak Glen’s deficit down to 5-4. Cyfers Markowicz moved up to third on a wild pitch before scoring on an error to knot the score at 5. Madonna was able to get out of the inning without allowing any more runs thanks to a fielder’s choice and a strikeout.

The Blue Dons had a golden opportunity to break the tie in the sixth as they loaded the bases on a single by Gray, a hit batter and a walk, however, a strikeout ended the threat and the inning keeping the game deadlocked. Likewise, Oak Glen got a pair of runners on base in the bottom half of the inning, however, Madonna was able to get out of the inning on a groundout and a strikeout.

Oak Glen is scheduled to play Doddridge County at noon today on the road.

Madonna is slated to play East Liverpool at 5 p.m. Monday at home at Bowman Field.

Madonna 6, Oak Glen 5

Madonna 202 100 1 – 6 7 2

Oak Glen 011 120 0 – 5 4 1

MADONNA (8-8): Lazear (2IP, 5K, 2BB), Kaczmarek (2IP, 2K, 2BB), Fuscardo (2IP, 3K, 2BB) and Wingett. Fuscardo RBI; Lazear S; Brooks S, RBI; Kaczmarek D, T, 2RBI; Gray 2S, RBI; Lancaster T.

OAK GLEN (8-15): Buckler (6IP, 2K, 4BB), Cline (1IP, 2K, 2BB) and Chappell. Z. Jenkins RBI; Dittman S; S. Jenkins S, RBI; Cyfers Markowicz D, RBI; Cooper S, RBI.