Rosemont, Ill. – With winter weather gripping West Michigan, the Aquinas softball team found solace in the controlled environment of the dome, closing out a demanding six-game weekend with mixed results. Despite an early stumble against Saint Xavier, the Saints bounced back in their finale to defeat Judson for the second time in as many days.

These non-conference battles provide Head Coach Brad Koch and his staff with valuable opportunities to evaluate, adjust, and prepare for the grind of WHAC play. With three wins in six games, AQ leaves Rosemont battle-tested and eager for more.

Game 5: Saint Xavier 10, Aquinas 2

Aquinas struggled to overcome an early deficit against a relentless Saint Xavier offense, falling 10-2 in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader.

The Cougars wasted no time, exploding for five runs in the first inning and adding two more in the second to put AQ in a quick 7-0 hole. Maddy O'Connor led the charge for SXU, racking up multiple extra-base hits, including an RBI double in the third that extended the lead to 8-0.

Aquinas finally broke through in the fifth inning when Abby Nieswender scored on a fielder's choice by Karigann Cuthbert. Moments later, McKenna Hinkle doubled down the left-field line, plating Meagan Postma to trim the deficit to 8-2. However, the Cougars responded immediately, adding two more runs to put the game out of reach.

Freshman Audrey Schindler (0-1) made her first start for the Saints but struggled, allowing seven runs on nine hits in just one inning. Raeann Drummond pitched in relief, tossing 3.1 innings while striking out three and allowing three runs (two earned).

Despite the loss, Coach Koch emphasized the importance of learning from these early-season matchups.

"We didn't execute well early, and against a team like Saint Xavier, you can't afford to fall behind like that," Koch said. "But our players kept fighting, and that's what we need to build on moving forward."

Game 6: Aquinas 4, Judson 2

Determined to finish strong, Aquinas delivered a complete performance in its weekend finale, securing a 4-2 win over Judson behind a dominant outing from pitcher Sophia Pavese.

Judson struck first with an RBI single in the opening frame, but AQ wasted no time responding. Katie Carlson laced an RBI double to center field, bringing home Jaden Delchambre to even the score. Moments later, Carson Hendricks grounded out to second, but it was enough to bring Delchambre home for a 2-1 AQ lead.

The Saints added to their advantage in the third when Jaden Benschoter ripped an RBI double to score Carlson, making it 3-1. Emma Houseman added insurance in the fourth, singling to center to bring home Madison Buikema for a 4-1 cushion.

Judson pushed across a run in the sixth, but Pavese remained composed, shutting the door in the seventh to seal the victory. The junior ace was in command all game, tossing a complete seven-inning outing while striking out nine. She allowed just two runs on seven hits, working around four walks to earn her second win of the season.

Coach Koch praised his team's resilience in the rematch victory, "It's been a long and demanding few days, but I'm proud of the way we battled. Sophia was outstanding in the circle, and we found ways to manufacture runs when we needed them. This was a great learning experience as we continue to prepare for conference play."

Weekend Recap & Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the team's performance over the six-game stretch, Coach Koch saw plenty of positives, "Overall, the weekend was productive for our team. We won three and had a pretty good chance to win a couple of others. More importantly, we used this time together to become better teammates. We saw lots of improvement and look forward to getting back at it next weekend in Iowa."

By the Numbers

• Carson Hendrickson: 6-for-17 (.353 BA), 1 double, 2 RBIs
• Sophia Pavese: 21 IP, 19 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 21 K, 1.00 ERA (2-0 record)
• Jaden Delchambre: 4-for-13 (.308 BA), 4 runs, 2 RBIs

Next Up

The Saints return home for a week of practice before heading to the Ambrose Dome Tournament in Davenport, Iowa, where they will face Mount Mercy and St. Ambrose on Saturday, followed by Sunday match-ups against Culver-Stockton and a rematch with Saint Xavier.

With more valuable experience under their belts, AQ is ready to keep building momentum toward WHAC play.