Rockford, MI – The Saints returned to West Michigan Sports Commission Field at the Meijer Sports Complex looking to rebound from a tough non-conference loss to Calvin. It was back to WHAC play—ironically, against the last conference opponent Aquinas faced before the non-league matchup: the Wolverines of UM-Dearborn. Aquinas continues its rise up the standings and needed a strong showing on Good Friday.

Game 1: Aquinas 17, UM-Dearborn 3

The Aquinas Saints exploded for 20 hits and scored in bunches to earn a resounding 17-3 win over UM-Dearborn on Friday afternoon.

Aquinas wasted no time jumping ahead, plating four runs in the bottom of the first. Dylan Nguyen started the scoring with an RBI single before Grant Martin's two-run double and Luke LaCross's RBI infield single made it 4-0.

The third inning brought another offensive surge as the Saints sent 11 men to the plate and scored six times. Key highlights included Kasy Shadduck's three-run double and a sacrifice fly by Nguyen. Aquinas followed that with a seven-run fourth, as nine consecutive batters reached base at one point. Jon Popp and Aidan Schmuckal each added RBIs, and Brayden Monroe capped the frame with a two-run double.

Every Saints starter either scored a run or drove in a run as 13 different players contributed to the offensive onslaught. Martin, Nguyen, and Popp each tallied two hits and two or more RBIs. Shadduck led the team with three RBIs, while eight different Saints drove in at least one run. Dawson Shearer scored twice and reached base three times, Stephen Weinert went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a double, and Landon Mueller added a pinch-hit RBI single in the fourth inning.

On the mound, Aaron Moore picked up his second win of the season, tossing five solid innings and allowing just two runs on three hits. Hudson Lubbers and Brendan Burch each worked an inning of relief.

Inside the Numbers (Game 1):
• Grant Martin: 2-for-3, 2 RBIs, 1 double, 2 runs scored
• Kasy Shadduck: 3 RBIs, 1 double, clean work behind the plate
• Dylan Nguyen: 2-for-2, 2 RBIs, 1 stolen base, sac fly
• Stephen Weinert: 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 double, 1 run scored

Game 2: Aquinas 9, UM-Dearborn 0

The Aquinas Saints needed just five innings to secure a dominant 9-0 win over Michigan-Dearborn on Friday afternoon, completing a WHAC doubleheader sweep before lightning cut the second game short in Rockford. The Saints improved to 23-21 overall and 16-6 in WHAC play, while the Wolverines dropped to 1-41 (0-22 WHAC).

Aquinas jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, plating two runs in each of the first four innings and adding one more in the fifth. Dylan Nguyen was the engine behind the offense, collecting three hits and driving in three runs while scoring twice. His RBI double in the first inning set the tone for the game.

Kaleb Mitchelson was in full control on the mound, tossing four shutout innings with four hits, three strikeouts, and no walks to earn the win. Caden Gregory struck out the side in the fifth to seal the victory.

With the postseason drawing closer, Aquinas continues to build momentum at the right time. The Saints have now won eight of their last ten games and remain firmly in the hunt near the top of the WHAC standings. A balanced mix of timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and reliable pitching has fueled their strong conference play, and Friday's doubleheader sweep was a showcase of that all-around execution.

The game was officially called in the bottom of the fifth due to lightning, with Aquinas leading by nine and having met the minimum innings required for a complete contest.

Inside the Numbers (Game 2):
• Dylan Nguyen: 3-for-3, double, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, 1 stolen base
• Ramsey Bousseau: 1-for-2 with a triple, RBI, 2 walks
• Logan Snelling: 2-for-2, RBI double, 1 stolen base, hit by pitch
• JT LaMange: Drove in two runs and drew a walk while playing clean defense at second base

Coach's Comments

Head Coach Chris LaMange praised the team's resilience and momentum:
"We've talked all year about playing with energy, focus, and togetherness—and this was a complete team effort. I'm proud of the way the guys responded today. We're starting to peak at the right time."

Up Next

The Saints catch a break, as the Saturday game originally scheduled to be played at Defiance has been moved to Rockford with a 3:30 PM first pitch. As usual, the second game will start 30 minutes after Game 1. This doubleheader will not be streamed due to the late change and Senior Day for Men's Lacrosse and Women's Softball.

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