The Aquinas softball team hosted #17 Olivet Nazarene in a big non-conference doubleheader Monday afternoon (Apr. 5) at Cornerstone. The Saints' big bats carried them through the first game, earning the huge 9-6 win over the Tigers. Roles reversed in the second game as the Tigers topped AQ by a 9-1 score. The split moves Aquinas to 11-5 overall.
In the first inning of the first game, the Tigers got off to a hot start scoring four runs. AQ tallied just one run in the bottom of the inning as Jordan Humitz batted in Izzy Dawson at second base, after Dawson doubled. In the second inning, Kaelyn Stafford led off with a single to center field. Two more singles from Courtney Hardin and Natalie VanDerHaegen loaded the bases for the Saints.
Brooke Wila then doubled to left center field scoring two to put AQ within a run. Darrien Roberts also singled, to score Sydney Dawson, and caused a Tigers pitching change. To close the inning, I. Dawson doubled to left field to score Wila and go up one run, 5-4.
ONU posted two runs in the top of the fourth. Aquinas went on another scoring run in the bottom of the inning, showing off more offense. With runners on first and second, I. Dawson homered over the left field fence for three RBIs and to take the advantage from the Tigers (7-6 AQ).
With two outs and pinch runners on second and third, Stafford doubled to left field for two RBIs and improved the lead to three runs. The Tigers and Saints were scoreless in the last three innings to earn Aquinas the huge 9-6 win.
Aquinas was led by I. Dawson, who went 4-4 and tallied three RBIs, two runs, two doubles, and a homerun. Stafford finished 3-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Hardin went 2-3 while Humitz hit 2-4. Kayla Fessenden earned the win on the mound, pitching four innings and allowing just two hits.
In the second game, AQ's I. Dawson hit a solo homerun over the left fence to grab the quick 1-0 lead. ONU bounced back with vengeance as it tallied nine runs throughout the second game. Aquinas was scoreless the rest of the game, posting just three hits off ONU's starting and winning pitcher. The 9-1 win and split moves Olivet Nazarene to an 11-3 overall record.
The other two hits for the Saints in game two came from shortstop Haley Myers and center fielder Stafford, who both hit 1-3 in the game. I. Dawson also finished 1-3 with the only run for AQ.
Aquinas will return to action Wednesday (Apr. 7) as the Saints travel back to Cornerstone, this time for an away WHAC doubleheader against the Golden Eagles. AQ will take on crosstown rival CU at 3:30 PM.
