Nappanee, Ind. – The Saints softball squad played a doubleheader against the Indiana University-South Bend Titans to get a pair of games in before the WHAC tournament starts on Wednesday (May 1). These games were also the final two games of the regular season for AQ.

Aquinas won game one dominantly, tallying nine runs to IUSB's two. The Saints then continued their extra-innings perfection with a 6-4 victory in the eighth inning.

AQ improved to 37-11 this season and still remains at 15-7 in conference games. At the time of writing this recap, AQ holds the number four seed but could jump to number three if Concordia loses to Madonna. The Cardinals are currently trailing the Crusaders 8-0.

Game 1: Aquinas 9, IU-South Bend 2

The Titans put runners on base in the first and second innings, but it was the Saints to bring a run home first. Kaelyn Stafford walked and then stole second before an error from the pitcher allowed her to score.

IUSB put runners on base in the third and fourth innings again, continuing the tradition of stranding runners on base throughout the first four frames. That finally changed when South Bend scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game at one.

 AQ's bats finally came to life in the top of the sixth to reclaim the lead. McKenna Hinkle singled and Haley Myers doubled to take the lead. Kim Sosnowski walked and Katie Carlson was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. A wild pitch scored one run before Courtney Hardin hit Sosnowski home with a sacrifice fly to take a three-run advantage.

The Saints then put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh. Stafford hit a leadoff home run to jump-start the offense. Hinkle singled and stole second for Myers to put two runners in scoring position with a double. Alexa Kownacki brought a run home with a sacrifice fly before doubles from Elizabeth Haunhorst and Hardin increased AQ's run total to eight.

A Darrien Roberts single added on another run for good measure to give the visitors an eight-run lead. The Titans scored a consolation run in the bottom of the seventh, but AQ's eight runs in the final two innings proved to be the difference.

Grace Maguire earned win number 14 in this game after allowing just three hits over six innings.

Game 2: Aquinas 6, IU-South Bend 4 (8 Innings)

Game two must be much more competitive with nearly all of the offense coming at the hands of home runs. Carlson continued her breakout rookie campaign with her sixth home run of the season in the top of the first inning. The Titans responded with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to grab their first lead of the game.

No runs were scored following the two home runs in the first until AQ turned the tides in the fifth. Sosnowski and Myers singled to put two runners on base. Carlson then delivered again on the ensuing at-bat with a bomb to center field to give AQ the lead back.

However, the Titans responded again in the bottom of the fifth frame with another two-run homer of their own to tie the game.

AQ loaded the bases in the seventh, but couldn't manage to bring a run home, giving the hosts the opportunity to walk it off. Sophia Pavese locked in and generated three straight outs with defensive help behind her to take the game into extras, where AQ has thrived all season.

That didn't change this game. An error from IUSP kept the inning alive with runners on second and third and Sosnowski hit them both home with a single to center field to take a 6-4 advantage.

South Bend was in prime position to respond again with two runners in scoring position with one out. Pavese had other ideas as she struck out the game's final two batters to secure the win.

Pavese went the distance again for her 15th win of the season and ninth complete game. She posted a season-high nine strikeouts in the win, the most of any Aquinas pitcher this season.

By the Numbers

Aquinas was better in every category today, leading in hits (23-10), batting average (.365-.189), strikeouts (12-5), and stolen bases (6-2).

Myers led the team with four hits including two doubles. Carlson had just two hits today, but they were both home runs, increasing her season total to seven.

Roberts, Sosnowski, Hardin, and Hinkle all recorded three hits as a part of AQ's offensive outburst.

Up Next

The Saints will head to Ohio on Wednesday (May 1) to compete in the WHAC tournament. AQ's opponent depends on the result of the current Concordia and Madonna game.