Davenport, IA – The Aquinas softball team continues to battle through weather challenges, injuries, and valuable early-season experience as they traveled to Davenport, Iowa for a four-game weekend slate. Entering the trip with a 3-3 record, Head Coach Brad Koch remains optimistic about the team's progress, even after a tough Saturday in which the Saints dropped two hard-fought games.

Aquinas opened the day by surrendering a 4-0 first-inning lead in an 8-7 loss to Mount Mercy before struggling to generate offense in a 5-1 defeat to Saint Ambrose in the nightcap.

Game 1: Mount Mercy 8, Aquinas 7

Aquinas' offense started hot, scoring four runs in the first inning behind an RBI single from Carson Hendrickson and a three-run double from Jaden Delchambre. The Saints tacked on another run in the third when Mallory Buikema singled, extending the lead to 5-3.

Mount Mercy responded by tying the game in the bottom of the third and then taking a 7-5 lead in the fourth. However, the Saints refused to go down quietly.

A leadoff double from Abby Nieswender, followed by a sacrifice bunt and a clutch RBI single from Jaden Benschoter, cut the deficit to one. Moments later, McKenna Hinkle's RBI single tied the game at 7-7.

Unfortunately for Aquinas, Mount Mercy manufactured the winning run in the bottom of the sixth using a single, stolen base, sacrifice bunt, and sacrifice fly to edge the Saints 8-7.

Pitching Recap:

• Raeann Drummond (Relief, 4.0 IP) – 5 H, 3 R, 4 K, 1 BB
• Sophia Pavese (Starter, 2.0 IP) – 4 H, 5 R, 2 K, 4 BB

Offensive Leaders:

• Mallory Buikema: 3-for-4, 1 RBI
• Jaden Delchambre: 2-for-3, 1 2B, 3 RBIs
• McKenna Hinkle: 1-for-4, 3 BB, 1 RBI

Game 2: Saint Ambrose 5, Aquinas 1

In the second game of the day, Aquinas struggled to string together offense, managing just one run despite several scoring opportunities.

The Saints struck first in the fourth inning when Hendrickson tripled to bring home Emma Houseman, who had singled to lead off the frame. However, Saint Ambrose answered back with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 1-1.

A costly error in the sixth inning allowed the go-ahead run to score before Saint Ambrose sealed the game with a three-run home run to left field, making it 5-1.

Pitching Recap:

• Ada Bradford (Starter, 5.2 IP) – 6 H, 5 R (0 ER), 7 K, 0 BB

Offensive Leaders:

• Carson Hendrickson: 1-for-3, 1 3B, 1 RBI
• Emma Houseman: 2-for-3, 1 R

Coach's Take

Despite the losses, Head Coach Brad Koch remained positive about the team's development. "A couple of tough games against good teams that didn't go our way today. However, our coaching staff is happy with our progress at the plate, and our defense was much better."

By the Numbers

• Ada Bradford: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R (0 ER), 7 K, 0 BB
• Carson Hendrickson: 2-for-7, 1 3B, 1 R, 2 RBIs
• Jaden Delchambre: 2-for-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 3 RBIs
• McKenna Hinkle: 1-for-4, 1 R, 3 BB

Next Up

Aquinas will look to bounce back Sunday morning as they close out their weekend trip with two more challenging match-ups. The Saints take on Culver-Stockton at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 10:45 a.m. showdown against Saint Xavier. Stay tuned for updates and results at aqsaints.com.