Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Westfield, Ind. – Aquinas started its 2024 campaign early this year with doubleheader action today (Feb. 3). Aquinas battled the Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus Crimson Pride in brisk conditions. The Saints jumped out to early leads in both contests while staving off IUPUC comeback attempts to post two games in the win column to start the season.

Aquinas' opening day sweep gives the Saints their first 2-0 start since 2022.

Game 1: Aquinas 6, IUPUC 4

Nathan Wilcox got the Saints' scoring started in the top of the second after ripping a gap shot to right center for a triple. Nicolas Verdugo then hit a base knock to send Wilcox across the plate for an early lead.

Freshman pitcher Aaron Hileman took the mound in the bottom of the third and struck out his first two batters for his first two career Ks. That solid pitching continued into the fourth inning, forcing a flyout and a double play for a 0.00 ERA to start his career.

The game remained quiet until Chase Ingersoll walked and JD Gillies hit a double to score another run in the top of the sixth frame. The Crimson Pride's offense finally woke up in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at two after drawing two walks and three hits.

AQ immediately responded with an explosive seventh inning. Verdugo was walked but then thrown out at second base due to a fielder's choice. However, a throwing error from the second baseman while trying to turn two allowed Luke Lacross to reach second. Jayden Timmer knocked a single into left field and proceeded to immediately steal second to put two runners in scoring position with just one out.

IUPUC intentionally loaded the bases, which proved to be a mistake. Columbus made a pitching change and the new arm allowed the pressure to get to him. He walked in two runners and Ingersoll hit a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Saints a three-run advantage.

Columbus scored two more, but an insurance run in the ninth and a six-out save from Mason Hill gave AQ its first win of the season.

Game 2: Aquinas 11, IUPUC 9 (7 Innings)

The Saints lit up the scoreboard early after the intermission between the two games. AQ started the game with hits from Dawson Shearer, Mark Binkowski, Wilcox, Ingersoll, Drew Mitchell, and Ryan Gillings for a massive five-run first inning.

A pair of triples in the third from Ingersoll and Lacross tacked on two more runs. The Crimson Pride then gifted Aquinas another two runs after a pair of errors from IUPUC. AQ commanded a 9-4 lead after a busy four innings of play.

Aquinas appeared to be in position to easily complete the two-game sweep after several scoreless innings kept the score at 9-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning. However, three singles, a couple of hit by pitches, and an error completed erased the Saints' lead with just one frame left to play.

With one out in the seventh, Lacross walked and then reached third on an error by the Crimson Pride catcher. Gillings hit him home to give Aquinas the lead back. AQ added one more for good measure after three consecutive walks.

Grant Martin took the bump with a save opportunity on the line and wrapped up the contest with two strikeouts.

By the Numbers

Shearer, Binkowski, Wilcox, Ingersoll, Lacross, and Gillings all record two hits over the first two contests. Both Ingersoll and Gillings posted their first multi-hit game of the season in the second match.

The Saints outhit the Crimson Pride in both contests, while errors proved to be a talking point for both teams. Columbus had one more error across the two-game slate than Aquinas did (7-6).

Conor Gausselin and Ethan Bowen each posted three strikeouts as Aquinas utilized a total of nine different arms today.

Up Next

Aquinas has another doubleheader scheduled for tomorrow (Feb. 4) against IUPUC. The first pitch is scheduled for noon at the Grand Park Sports Complex.