The Aquinas softball team traveled to Rosemont, Illinois to compete in a non-conference doubleheader against the Lakers of Roosevelt on Friday afternoon (Mar. 19). The Saints had busy bats in the first game, overpowering the Lakers 14-9. AQ fell in the second game by a 9-7 score for the split on the day.
In the first game, Roosevelt got to a quick 3-0 lead scoring in the bottom of the first. Aquinas responded in the top of the second matching three runs to tie the game. Heading into the fourth inning, the Lakers held a 4-3 advantage. A double from Courtney Hardin to score Leigha Morse (singled) evened the game, 4-4. Another double, this time from Kallie Sears, scored Hardin and Brooke Wila (singled) and made the game 6-4. A wild pitch scored Sears and closed the inning (7-4 AQ).
It was a busy last two innings as the Lakers scored four and Aquinas tallied six. AQ grabbed the victory by a 14-9 score. The Saints were led by Wila as she hit 3-4 with a double, an RBI, a run, and two stolen bases. Hardin went 2-4 with two doubles, two runs, and two RBIs.
Sears hit 1-3 with two runs, two RBIs, and a double. Leah Ash earned the win in today's game pitching five innings and recorded three strikeouts.
To start the second game, lead-off batter Wila singled to right field. With Wila on second base after stealing, Izzy Dawson doubled down the left field line to score Wila and grab the quick 1-0 lead. The Lakers rallied in the bottom of the second, scoring 7, and earning themselves a 7-1 lead.
Aquinas again responded in the top of the third as Haley Myers walked, I. Dawson singled, and Jordan Humitz singled, loading the bases for the Saints. A grand slam over left field by Morse cleared the bases and made it a 7-5 Roosevelt edge. A single and an error by the Lakers put a runner in scoring position (Kaelyn Stafford) as Haley Aldred singled to score another to finish the top of the inning (7-6 Roosevelt). The Lakers outscored the Saints 2-1 to close out the game to earn the win.
I. Dawson went 2-2 with a run, a double, a stolen base, and an RBI. Stafford also went 2-2 and posted a run. Wila hit 3-5 and recorded two runs, two doubles, and two stolen bases. Morse had the grand slam finishing with four RBIs and a run.
Grace McGuire grabbed the loss for the Saints but posted a strikeout and Leah Vaughan pitched 2.1 innings and tallied two strikeouts and only allowed one run.
The Saints are now 5-3 overall as the Lakers move to 16-4. AQ returns to the field tomorrow (Mar. 20) at Cornerstone hosting the Judson Eagles for another non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
