Davenport, IA — There is something about early-season road trips that reveal who you really are. Long drives. Neutral sites. Dome ball in February. Under first-year Head Coach Patty Jansen, this Aquinas softball team isn't just chasing wins — they're building something. Through two weekends away from home, what stands out isn't just the scoreboard. It's the dugout energy. It's the way different names step up every game. It's the buy-in. No one is trying to be the hero. No one is waiting to be rescued. As cliché as it sounds, there truly is no "I" in team — and inside the Ambrose Dome, that culture was on full display.
Aquinas 8, Saint Mary 0 (Game 1 Saturday)
The Saints opened the weekend with a complete performance on both sides of the ball. Sydney Bosgraaf was dominant in the circle, tossing six shutout innings while allowing just three hits and striking out seven. She worked around traffic early and then completely settled into rhythm, controlling the tempo of the game.
Offensively, Aquinas wasted little time setting the tone. Bella Asai drove in the first run of the afternoon with an RBI single in the second inning, scoring Mallory Buikema. From there, the lineup kept applying pressure.
The fourth inning broke things open. Alea Fisher reached and Karigann Cuthbert followed with a hit, setting up Asai again, who delivered another RBI knock. McKenna Hinkle added an RBI single, and Katie Carlson followed with a two-run base hit that stretched the lead to 5-0.
Carlson finished the game with three hits and four RBI, anchoring the middle of the lineup. Asai collected two hits and two RBI, while Hinkle reached base multiple times and added an RBI of her own.
In the sixth, Aquinas put the finishing touches on the shutout. Carlson delivered again with a two-run single, and Abby Nieswender added a sacrifice fly to make it 8-0.
Ten hits. Eight runs. Zero errors. Statement made.
Aquinas 8, Mount Mercy 2 (Game 2 Saturday)
Game two brought the same theme — depth wins.
Ada Bradford delivered four strong innings in the circle, allowing just one run. Emma Austin followed with three steady innings to secure the win.
The Saints struck early. Daniela Anzaldua reached and later scored on a Katie Carlson RBI double in the first inning. Mallory Buikema and Alea Fisher followed with clutch hits to quickly build a 2-0 lead.
Mount Mercy answered with a run, but Aquinas immediately countered. In the third, Jadalyn Lopez ripped an RBI double, and Meagan Postma came off the bench to deliver a two-run single that stretched the advantage.
The fourth inning sealed it. Buikema drove in a run with a single, Lopez added another RBI double, and Bella Asai capped the scoring with an RBI base hit.
Lopez finished 4-for-4 with two RBI. Buikema added two hits. Carlson drove in a run. Asai chipped in another RBI.
Thirteen hits. Eight runs. Total control.
Aquinas 4, Saint Mary 3 (Game 1 Sunday – 9 Innings)
Sunday morning demanded toughness.
In a nine-inning battle, Aquinas showed composure beyond its calendar date. Kenzie Greene started and battled through three innings before Addy Buchin took over and delivered six strong frames in relief, allowing just one run and refusing to let the game tilt.
Trailing early, the Saints chipped away. Alea Fisher doubled and later scored on a Meagan Postma RBI groundout. In the seventh, Lauren Wilkins ignited pressure that forced defensive mistakes and tied the game.
Extra innings brought drama. Abby Nieswender's aggressive approach in the eighth helped plate a run, but Saint Mary answered.
In the ninth, Wilkins was placed at second and executed perfectly. A bunt single moved momentum. Daniela Anzaldua followed with a hit, and Katie Carlson lifted a sacrifice fly that scored the go-ahead run.
Buchin handled the rest.
Three outs. One-run win. Growth moment secured.
Aquinas 5, St. Ambrose 1 (Game 2 Sunday)
The finale may have been the most complete effort of the weekend.
Sydney Bosgraaf tossed a complete-game two-hitter, striking out five and slamming the door after surrendering a first-inning run.
The offense answered in waves. McKenna Hinkle reached and scored on an RBI single from Alea Fisher in the third. Fisher added another RBI in the fifth to give AQ the lead for good.
In the sixth and seventh, Aquinas created separation. Karigann Cuthbert worked a walk and scored. Hinkle added another RBI. Gabriella Naccarato contributed situational execution to tack on insurance.
Hinkle finished with three hits and two stolen bases. Fisher went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Maci Willey added two hits and was aggressive on the bases. Bella Asai and Cuthbert added pressure with smart baserunning.
Twelve hits. Lockdown pitching. Road sweep complete.
Inside the Numbers
• 4–0 weekend inside the Ambrose Dome
• 25 total runs scored
• 47 hits across four games
• 6 total runs allowed by the pitching staff
• 2 shutouts recorded
• 4 different pitchers contributing to victories
Coach's Comments
Head Coach Patty Jansen was proud — but purposeful:
"I love how we're competing for each other right now. We're not relying on one bat or one arm — we're trusting the process and trusting each other. That's culture. That's buy-in. February success is encouraging, but culture is what carries you in April and May. We're building something strong, but we're not finished. Florida will tell us a lot about who we are."
Up Next
The AQ Softball team will rest and train over the next thirteen days before heading to Florida. Twelve games in seven days will serve as the true measuring stick before WHAC play begins.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage of AQ Softball and all Saint sports.
