Viera, FL – While this is not the first few games of the season for the Aquinas Softball team, it is the start of the always valuable Florida Spring Break trip. Team bonding and great softball is always the hope of Coach Brad Koch for his team during this adventure. The Saints responded by going two-for-two on day one, defeating Marian and Brewton-Parker.

Game 1: Aquinas 5, Marian 4

Aquinas College delivered a thrilling comeback win over Marian (IN), securing a 5-4 victory thanks to a late-game surge in the sixth inning.

The Saints (4-6) trailed early after Marian plated three runs in the first inning, but Aquinas responded with a clutch rally in the third. Katie Carlson sparked the offense with an RBI double, followed by Carson Hendrickson and Abby Nieswender contributing clutch hits to tie the game at 3-3.

After Marian reclaimed the lead in the third, Aquinas remained resilient. The Saints capitalized on a defensive miscue in the sixth, allowing Angelina Lanham to score the go-ahead run on an RBI single from Alea Fisher. Raeann Drummond was dominant in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and retiring Marian in order in the seventh, sealing the win.

Carlson led the offensive charge with a double and an RBI, while Fisher and Nieswender each drove in crucial runs. Drummond's relief performance was key, as she allowed just one hit while striking out two to earn the win.

The Saints will look to carry that momentum into the second game of the day on Saturday versus Brewton-Parker.

Game 1 - By the Numbers:

• 3 – Runs scored by Aquinas in a clutch third-inning rally to tie the game.
• 2 – Scoreless innings thrown by Drummond to secure the win.
• 5 – Hits by Aquinas, with Carlson leading the way.

Game 2: Aquinas 9, Brewton-Parker 4

Aquinas proved the bats were not stuck in customs in their second game of the day, overpowering Brewton-Parker 9-4 behind a balanced offensive attack and strong pitching from Raeann Drummond.

Aquinas wasted no time, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind an RBI double from Emma Houseman and a single from Katie Carlson. The Saints added two more in the second, with McKenna Hinkle and Carlson again sparking the rally.

Despite a four-run fourth inning by Brewton-Parker, Aquinas answered immediately in the fifth. Carlson tripled and later scored, while Kenzie Jordan delivered a two-run single to push the lead to 8-4. A sixth-inning insurance run secured the win.

Carlson was the star at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a triple, while Jordan added a pair of key RBIs. Drummond was once again nearly invincible in relief, tossing 3.2 innings of one-hit, scoreless softball to earn her second win of the day.

The Saints' strong performance at the plate and on the mound increases the confidence as AQ continues Floridian softball.

Game 2 - By the Numbers:

• 3 – Hits by Katie Carlson, including a triple and two RBIs.
• 10 – Hits by the Saints in a dominant offensive performance.
• 0 – Errors committed by Aquinas, playing clean defense.

By the Numbers (for Saturday):

• 14 – Total runs scored by Aquinas on the day.
• 15 – Total hits collected by the Saints in both games.
• 2 – Wins for Raeann Drummond in relief.
• 1 – Hit allowed by Drummond in 6.2 total innings pitched.
• 0 – Errors committed by Aquinas in Game 2, a defensive highlight.

Coach's Take

Head Coach Brad Koch explained the significance of today:
"Last year, our season ended with a 1-0 loss to Marian in the National Tournament, so we felt like we owed them one. After trailing 3-0 in the first, the girls did a great job of getting tough and getting the job done. It was a big early-season win for us over a top-20 team. In game two, everyone contributed, and we put together 12 hits with no errors. A good day for the Saints with our first sweep of 2025."

Next Up

Coach Brad Koch and his AQ Saints Softball squad will return to action on Sunday. The Florida trip continues with games against Midland (2:30 PM) and Waldorf (4:45 PM). If the AQ squad sweeps on Sunday, they will be over .500 for the first time since game one. Stay tuned for updates and results at aqsaints.com.