Rosemont, Ill. – Aquinas Softball Head Coach Brad Koch arranged an early-season test for his team, securing games inside a dome in Illinois ahead of their spring break trip. The Saints opened their 2025 campaign with a doubleheader on Friday night, defeating William Penn 3-0 before falling 5-2 to Olivet Nazarene.

Game 1: Aquinas 3, William Penn 0

The Saints earned their first win of the season behind a dominant pitching performance from Sophia Pavese. The right-hander tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out five and issuing no walks. Not a single William Penn runner advanced past second base.

AQ struck first in the opening inning. McKenna Hinkle led off with a walk, stole second, and came around to score on an RBI single from Carson Hendrickson, who recorded two hits in the game.

The Saints extended their lead in the fifth when Jaden Delchambre led off with a single, eventually scoring on a two-out single from Hinkle. An insurance run followed in the seventh after a Hendrickson double and a Delchambre RBI single, sealing the 3-0 victory.

Game 2: Olivet Nazarene 5, Aquinas 2

Aquinas carried its momentum into game two, striking first in the second inning. Jaden Benschoter led off with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Abby Nieswender.

However, Olivet Nazarene responded with a run in the third, another in the fourth, and two more in the fifth. AQ added one final run in the bottom of the fifth when Karigann Cuthbert crossed the plate on a groundout from Delchambre, but the Saints couldn't mount a comeback.

Coach's Take

Head Coach Brad Koch reflected on the opening day: "The girls battled today. Sophia Pavese threw an absolute gem in game one, and we secured a tough win. In game two, we made a few too many defensive mistakes, but we're a young team, and we'll learn from them and bounce back tomorrow."

By the Numbers

• Carson Hendrickson: 3-for-6 on the day, 1 RBI
• McKenna Hinkle: 2 hits, 2 stolen bases, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 walk
• Sophia Pavese: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 5 K, 0 BB (Complete-Game Shutout)

Next Up

The Saints continue their weekend slate in Rosemont, facing Olivet Nazarene again at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday before a noon matchup against Judson.