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Box Score 2 Rockford, MI – Where did the spring go? If you've been out at Meijer Sports Complex, you might be wondering when spring will actually arrive — given the unusually cold and windy season. Weather aside, Saturday marked a big day for Aquinas baseball as the Saints played their final home regular-season doubleheader. With WHAC tournament positioning on the line, AQ hosted Rochester Christian in two crucial match-ups.
Game 1: Aquinas 3, Rochester Christian 2
In the opener, Aquinas leaned on timely offense and strong bullpen work to edge Rochester Christian 3-2 at the Meijer's Sports Complex.
After four scoreless innings, the Saints (25-22, 18-7 WHAC) broke through in the bottom of the fifth.
Aidan Schmuckal drew a bases-loaded walk to score
Grant Martin for the game's first run. Moments later,
JT LaMange grounded into a fielder's choice, bringing
Luke LaCross home to make it 2-0. Aquinas capped the three-run inning when
Dawson Shearer scampered home on a throwing error during a double steal attempt.
Rochester Christian (13-27, 9-16 WHAC) answered in the sixth, cutting the lead to 3-2 on a two-run single by Dalton Schultz. But relievers
Ethan Pequette and
Travis Weide locked it down, with Weide earning his first save of the season after tossing two scoreless innings to close it out.
Pequette (2-2) picked up the win after allowing two runs across two innings of work. Starter
Aaron Moore was sharp as well, pitching three shutout frames to set the tone early.
Aquinas mustered only three hits — including doubles from Martin and LaMange — but capitalized on timely base running and a Rochester error to secure the win.
Rochester Christian's R. Polega (3-6) took the loss, despite a solid outing with four strikeouts and only three hits allowed over six innings.
The Saints and Warriors returned to the field later in the afternoon for game two, following a special senior celebration.
Inside the Numbers (Game 1):
- Ethan Pequette: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K – Win
- JT LaMange: 1-2, 2B, RBI
- Grant Martin: 1-3, 2B, RBI
- Travis Weide: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K – Save
Game 2: Aquinas 2, Rochester Christian 0
Behind dominant pitching and timely hitting, the Saints wrapped up the doubleheader — and Senior Day — with a 2-0 shutout win over the Warriors.
It was a true pitching showcase for AQ, using four arms to complete a three-hit shutout.
Mark Kalahar started strong, throwing three scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Jackson Spetoskey followed with a clean fourth before
Caden Gregory (2-1) earned the win, tossing three frames without allowing a run.
Blake Waibel was lights-out to close, striking out five of the six batters he faced to notch his first save.
Offensively, the Saints struck first in the third inning when
Dawson Shearer delivered an RBI single, scoring
Kasy Shadduck. AQ added an insurance run in the eighth when
Austin Deller crossed the plate on a clutch base hit from
Drew Mitchell.
Aquinas collected 11 hits, led by
Luke LaCross with two hits, including a triple.
JT LaMange and
Drew Mitchell also recorded multi-hit games.
Despite giving up 11 hits, Rochester Christian's pitchers C. Powers and D. Shafer kept the Warriors close, allowing just two runs combined. Powers (0-2) took the loss after five innings of work.
With the sweep, Aquinas moves to 26-22 overall and, more importantly, 19-7 in the WHAC — sitting alone in third place with a shot at second heading into the regular-season finale tomorrow at Indiana Tech.
Inside the Numbers (Game 2):
- Caden Gregory: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K – Win (2-1)
- Luke LaCross: 2-3, 3B
- JT LaMange: 2-3, BB
- Blake Waibel: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K – Save (1st)
Coach's Comments:
Head Coach Chris LaMange on Saturday's sweep:
"Great day for the Saints. We had the opportunity to celebrate our seniors — every senior played and contributed today. Our pitchers had their best day of the year, allowing just two runs total across the doubleheader. We'll have a ton of success next week if our pitchers continue throwing this well."
Celebrating Seniors:
Between games, Aquinas Baseball paused for a heartfelt ceremony to honor its graduating seniors. Each senior was recognized on the field, escorted by family, and presented with a commemorative bat in celebration of their contributions to the program.
The Class of 2025: Memories, Lessons, and Next Steps
- Owen Graves (OF/P): Majoring in Business Administration and Communication, minoring in Marketing. Favorite memory: Alex Strickland's "crash out" during spring break. Advice: "Have fun, but work hard." Future: Medical sales.
- Ethan Pequette (LHP): Majoring in Business Administration and Sports Management. Favorite memory: Bus breakdowns at Grand Park and in Florida. Advice: "Ibuprofen does miracles." Future: Finance.
- Mark Kalahar (P): Studied Sports Management. Favorite memory: Complete game vs. Cleary. Advice: "Wear the right attire for practice." Future: Working in Grand Rapids.
- Caden Gregory (P): Majored in Sports Management. Favorite memory: Dynamic warm-ups and fungo practice. Advice: "Check the band and pay attention during BP." Future: Coaching and scouting.
- Aidan Schmuckal (C): Double major in Business Administration and Sports Management. Favorite memory: Spring break trips. Advice: "Every opportunity is an opportunity." Future: Sales career.
- Dawson Shearer (3B): Majored in Clinical Exercise Science. Favorite memory: Florida trips. Advice: "Take care of your arms." Future: Graduate school for Physical Therapy.
- Sean Page (RHP): Majored in Biology. Favorite memory: Beating Concordia in the WHAC Tournament. Advice: "Enjoy every moment." Future: Working as a lab assistant and umpiring youth baseball.
- Jackson Spetoskey (P): Majored in Business Administration (Marketing). Favorite memory: His "Linsanity" fall season. Advice: "Enjoy every moment." Future: Summer work, then sports industry jobs.
- Blake Waibel (P): Majored in Clinical Exercise Science. Favorite memory: Daily ball games and beating rivals. Advice: "Appreciate the little moments." Future: Working and attending PT school.
- Luke LaCross (CF): Majored in Business Administration (Management). Favorite memory: Bus karaoke. Advice: "Put your faith in God, and don't take anything for granted." Future: Working in Grand Rapids for AIS Construction Equipment.
- Drew Mitchell (OF): Majored in Business Administration. Favorite memory: Walk-off hit vs. Dearborn. Advice: "Don't forget your jersey!" Future: Real estate career.
- Lucas Wittenbach (Team Impact Member): Treasured the friendships he made. Motto: "Impossible says 'I'm possible.'" Future: Supporting AQ Baseball and playing Miracle League ball.
The afternoon was a celebration of brotherhood, growth, and the countless moments that make lasting memories. Each senior has left their mark on Aquinas Baseball, and they will forever be part of the Saints family.
Congratulations, seniors — you are Forever Saints!
Up Next:
The Saints wrap up the regular season on Sunday with a road doubleheader at Indiana Tech. Game 1 first pitch is set for 1:00 PM, with Game 2 starting approximately 30 minutes after the first game's final out. AQ will host the WHAC Tournament next week — stay tuned for updates at AQSaints.com.