Grand Rapids, MI – It's been a rollercoaster season for the AQ softball team. A program used to being at the top of the WHAC and consistently in the mix for an NAIA national championship bid, this year's squad has been a puzzle—loaded with talent, yet still searching for the chemistry and consistency needed to peak at the right time. Head Coach Brad Koch and his staff have kept the Saints in the fight, but with the regular season nearing its conclusion, it's time to turn the corner. Saturday's non-conference doubleheader against Trinity Christian might be exactly what AQ needed.

Game 1: Aquinas 9, Trinity Christian 0
The Saints put together a dominant all-around performance in the opener, shutting out Trinity Christian 9-0 in six innings at West Catholic High School.

Sophia Pavese was sensational in the circle, firing a two-hit shutout to collect her seventh win of the season (7-8). Pavese kept the Trolls off balance throughout the game, striking out two and walking four in a complete-game effort.

Aquinas wasted no time setting the tone. In the bottom of the first, a double steal saw Patrina Marsh swipe second while Carson Hendrickson alertly dashed home to make it 1-0.

The Saints added two more in the third, again using aggressive baserunning. Katie Carlson and Kennedy Greene pulled off another double steal, with Carlson crossing the plate. Moments later, Jaden Benschoter singled to left to drive in Greene and push the lead to 3-0.

The fifth inning was the knockout blow. Benschoter tallied her second RBI single of the game, Laci Patterson added another run on a fielder's choice from Alea Fisher, and Karigann Cuthbert capped the rally with a two-run single, making it 7-0.

In the sixth, Abby Nieswender sealed it in dramatic fashion with her first home run of the season—a two-run blast over the fence that also scored Meagan Postma and triggered the run rule.

The Saints racked up nine hits from eight different players. Benschoter led the way with a 3-for-3 outing and two RBIs. Nieswender chipped in with two RBIs on her homer, and Carlson added a pair of doubles. AQ also wreaked havoc on the basepaths, stealing six bases in the game.

Defensively, the Saints were flawless, committing no errors while limiting Trinity Christian to just two hits. The win gave AQ a boost of momentum heading into game two.

Inside the Numbers (Game 1)
• Jaden Benschoter: 3-for-3, 2 RBIs
• Abby Nieswender: 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk
• Katie Carlson: 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 doubles
• Sophia Pavese: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, complete-game shutout

Game 2: Aquinas 4, Trinity Christian 3
Game two had a very different feel—a gritty, back-and-forth battle with momentum shifts and high-pressure moments. Ultimately, one big rally in the sixth inning gave Aquinas the edge in a 4-3 comeback victory to complete the sweep.

The Saints fell behind early, as Trinity Christian plated one run in the first and two more in the second to go up 3-0. But AQ refused to go away.

After five quiet innings offensively, Aquinas came alive in the sixth. Katie Carlson got things started with a sacrifice fly to score Karigann Cuthbert. Abby Nieswender followed with an RBI single to bring in Angelina Lanham. With two runners on, Kenzie Jordan stepped up and delivered the game-changing moment—a two-run double to left that gave Aquinas its first lead of the game at 4-3.

Raeann Drummond was lights out in relief, tossing three shutout innings while allowing just one hit and striking out four. The win moved her to 7-2 on the season.

Benschoter stayed hot at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance and a run scored. Cuthbert, Carlson, Postma, Nieswender, and Jordan all contributed hits in the team's 20th win of the season (20-16 overall).

Inside the Numbers (Game 2)
• Jaden Benschoter: 2-for-3, 1 run scored
• Kenzie Jordan: 1-for-3, double, 2 RBIs
• Abby Nieswender: 1-for-2, RBI
• Raeann Drummond: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

Coach's Comment
Head Coach Brad Koch reflected on the sweep and the significance of the day:
"Pretty proud of the team today. Came out strong in the first game and then had to fight back in the second, but found a way to get it done. Pretty special also to sweep on our Christy's Cause day. Great day with her family members and our alums who were able to make it out to honor her!"

Up Next
Aquinas returns to action on Sunday for a WHAC doubleheader against UNOH, hosted at Cornerstone University with first pitch set for noon. Director of Athletic Communications Joey Sutherlin will be on the call live on the AQ YouTube Network.

Stay updated with recaps, stats, and full coverage of AQ Athletics at aqsaints.com.