The Madonna University softball team went 2-1 in pool play at the 2009 NAIA Softball National Championship, but failed to advance to the double-elimination bracket after the 8-1 loss to fourth-ranked Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.).

Madonna won its first two competitions defeating McKendree University (Ill.) 3-1 and Holy Names University (Calif.) 3-0 before facing the Sea Lions.

In the opening game of Pool D, the Crusaders gave up one run in the bottom of the third, took the lead in the top of the fourth on a Tara LaMilza double to the center wall and a signle by Tedi Johnston for a 2-1 lead. Kathleen Smiley scored in the seventh inning for the final 3-1 victory. Sophomore Jess Irwin became just the fourth pitcher in NAIA history to strike out 400 batters as she recorded 12 strikeouts in the game.

Game two saw Johnson score a run and drive in two more as she hit a two-run double in the top of the sixth for the 3-0 win. Irwin threw a complete game two-hitter while striking out 10.

Heavy rains forced the third game to be suspended in the top of the second. Madonna trailed 2-0. When play resumed the following day, PLNU added another run before the end of the inning and scored two more in the third. Madonna's lone run came on a ground out by Brittney Scero to score Smiley. Point Loma scored three more runs in the seventh to eliminate MU 8-1.

Madonna finished the season with a school-best 53-11 record. Irwin, 33-9, finished the year with 423 strikeouts.