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Box Score 2 Rosemont, Ill. – Experience is something that can't be taught. While practice helps, nothing compares to the real-time speed of competition, learning to anticipate plays, react under pressure, and build chemistry with teammates. That's why tournaments like this weekend's slate in Rosemont are invaluable for the Aquinas softball team as they prepare for WHAC play.
After splitting Friday's games, Coach Brad Koch's squad returned to action early Saturday morning, focused not just on winning but on the lessons gained along the way.
Game 3: Olivet Nazarene 5, Aquinas 4 (8 Innings)
In a back-and-forth battle filled with clutch hitting and late-game drama, Aquinas came up just short against Olivet Nazarene in extra innings. Despite holding multiple leads, the Saints were unable to fend off the Tigers' late rally.
AQ struck first in the opening frame when Katie Carlson laced an RBI single through the left side, bringing home Jaden Delchambre for an early 1-0 lead. The Tigers responded, tying the game at one in the third.
The Saints regained control in the fourth, thanks to Alea Fisher's two-run single up the middle, scoring Emma Houseman and Karigann Cuthbert for a 3-1 advantage. However, Olivet Nazarene chipped away, closing the gap to 3-2 in the bottom half of the inning before knotting things up again in the seventh.
In the eighth, Abby Nieswender reached on a throwing error, allowing Patrina Marsh to race home, giving Aquinas a 4-3 lead with three outs to go. But the Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom half, eventually scoring on a fielder's choice to complete the comeback, 5-4.
Aquinas starter Sophia Pavese delivered a strong outing, tossing seven innings while allowing just one earned run on nine hits, striking out seven without issuing a walk. Audrey Schindler (0.1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER) and Raeann Drummond (0.0 IP) entered in relief but could not hold the lead.
Game 4: Aquinas 6, Judson 5
The Saints showed resilience in their second game of the day, rallying from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat Judson 6-5. A dominant sixth-inning surge and a determined pitching performance from Raeann Drummond secured the win, bringing Aquinas to 2-2 on the season.
Judson jumped ahead early, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Aquinas finally broke through in the fourth, capitalizing on defensive miscues. Kenzie Jordan's infield single plated Abby Nieswender to get AQ on the board, and a fielding error allowed Jaden Benschoter to score, trimming the deficit to 3-2.
Then came the turning point in the sixth. With two runners in scoring position, Jordan delivered in the clutch with a two-run double, driving in Jaden Delchambre and Karigann Cuthbert to give Aquinas its first lead, 4-3. Moments later, Houseman tripled to extend the lead, followed by Fisher's RBI triple, capping a four-run outburst that put the Saints up 6-3.
Judson made things interesting in the seventh, scoring twice to pull within a run, but Drummond remained composed, recording the final outs to seal the victory.
Drummond (1-1) earned her first win of the season with a gritty complete-game performance, scattering 12 hits while striking out 10. She allowed just one walk and limited the damage in key situations.
Coach's Take
Head Coach Brad Koch reflected on the team's performance:
"The girls battled once again today with a tough extra-inning loss to start but bounced back in the second game after going down 3-0 to earn a gritty comeback win. Pretty proud of this squad—we're getting better every day."
By the Numbers
Next Up
The Saints wrap up their weekend in Rosemont with a Sunday morning showdown against Saint Xavier at 8:00 a.m., followed by a rematch with Judson at noon. Then, it's back home for AQ to continue their early-season journey.
