Farmington Hills, MI – This has been one of the most challenging stretches for Aquinas softball in nearly a decade. While the program and coaching staff remain confident in the team's potential, things just haven't clicked recently. Heading into this road doubleheader on a four-game WHAC losing streak, Head Coach Brad Koch and his staff went the extra mile to get the Saints locked in for a pivotal day of conference play.

Game 1: Aquinas 5, UM-Dearborn 2
Powered by a timely home run from Jaden Benschoter and a dominant relief performance from Raeann Drummond, Aquinas snapped its skid with a 5–2 win in game one on Wednesday afternoon.

The Saints jumped on the board in the second inning when Benschoter crushed a two-run homer to right, scoring Carson Hendrickson for a 2–0 lead. UM-Dearborn responded in the bottom half, capitalizing on an AQ fielding error and a fielder's choice to even things at 2–2.

What followed was a tense pitchers' duel. Starter Sophia Pavese kept the Wolverines off balance through 4.1 innings, allowing just one hit but issuing five walks. Drummond took over in the fifth and slammed the door, tossing 2.2 no-hit innings to secure her fifth win of the season.

The tie was broken in the sixth when Emma Houseman scored on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Benschoter. An inning later, Katie Carlson delivered the dagger—a two-RBI double to right, bringing in Houseman and Kenzie Jordan. Both runs were unearned due to a UM-Dearborn error.

Offensively, Carlson led the way with a 2-for-4 effort that included a double and two RBIs. Benschoter finished 1-for-1 with two RBIs, a homer, and two walks. Hendrickson and Carlson each added a double as AQ finished with five hits.

Defensively, the Saints overcame a pair of early errors and turned a crucial double play to seal the win—snapping their four-game slide and setting the tone for game two.

Inside the Numbers (Game 1)
• Katie Carlson: 2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBIs
• Jaden Benschoter: 1-1, 2 BB, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBIs
• Raeann Drummond (W): 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Game 2: UM-Dearborn 8, Aquinas 7
Game two turned into an offensive slugfest and ended in heartbreak for the Saints, as a walk-off solo homer in the bottom of the seventh lifted UM-Dearborn to an 8–7 win and a split of the doubleheader.

Aquinas came out swinging, scoring twice in the opening frame—first on a heads-up bunt by Jaden Delchambre that plated Patrina Marsh, followed by an RBI single up the middle from Carlson. Marsh added an RBI double in the second to give AQ a 3–2 edge.

Carlson took center stage again in the sixth, blasting a grand slam to left to put the Saints up 7–3. She finished 2-for-3 with five RBIs and a stolen base in a brilliant all-around effort.

But the Wolverines weren't done. They answered with back-to-back two-run homers in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at 7–7.

In the seventh, UM-Dearborn capped the comeback with a walk-off solo shot, dealing the Saints a gut-punch loss after a game full of offensive fireworks.

Three AQ pitchers saw action. Drummond started and gave up three runs in two innings. Ada Bradford held the middle innings, and Pavese (6–8) took the loss after surrendering the deciding homer in the seventh.

The Saints tallied 10 hits from eight different players, including multi-hit games from Marsh and Abby Nieswender. Despite the loss, the Saints showed heart and offensive firepower, splitting the series and snapping their losing streak in game one.

Inside the Numbers (Game 2)
• Katie Carlson: 2-3, 1 HR, 5 RBIs, 1 BB
• Patrina Marsh: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 R
• Abby Nieswender: 2-4

Coaches Comments:
Head Coach Brad Koch reflected on the team's bounce-back effort:
"Good effort today after a tough week last week. Big win in the first game, pretty pleased with that. Almost had the sweep, but a couple of things didn't go our way, and we couldn't quite close the door. Back at it tomorrow."

Up Next
Aquinas now prepares for a hectic weekend stretch with six games over four days (three doubleheaders). The action begins Thursday at Kellogsville Middle School as AQ hosts Rochester Christian at 3:00 PM. On Saturday, the Saints will play Trinity Christian in the beloved Christy's Cause games at West Catholic. Sunday's doubleheader against UNOH will be held at Cornerstone, starting at noon.

Stay updated with recaps, stats, and all AQ sports coverage at aqsaints.com.