Millington, Tenn. — If you glanced out the window back in West Michigan on Saturday, it probably didn't feel like baseball season. But down in Millington, Tennessee, the 2026 Aquinas baseball team finally got to turn the page, taking the field at USA Stadium for a season-opening doubleheader against Brescia. After 115 days away from live game action, the Saints were more than ready to shake off the rust, get out of Alksnis, and start stacking innings in a season filled with expectations.
Aquinas 6, Brescia 3 (Game 1)
The season opener set the tone for Aquinas, as the Saints played efficient, pressure-driven baseball and leaned on strong pitching to secure a 6–3 win. AQ wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning, when Stephen Weinert reached base and Ramsey Bousseau came around to score on a Joey Hysell RBI single through the left side.
After a quiet stretch through the middle innings, Aquinas broke the game open in the fifth with a three-run frame built on patience and aggressive baserunning. Hysell worked a bases-loaded walk to force in a run, and Chase Robinson followed by reaching on a fielder's choice to plate another. Moments later, Robinson swiped second base, and the Saints caught Brescia sleeping, allowing Dylan Nguyen to steal home and push the lead to 4–0.
Brescia responded with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, trimming the margin to 4–2, but Aquinas answered immediately in the sixth. After Landon Mueller reached to start the frame, Bousseau delivered the decisive swing, launching a two-run home run to right field to restore a four-run cushion.
The Bearcats scratched across a run in the seventh, but the Saints never let the tying run become a factor. Hudson Lubbers earned the win with four scoreless innings to open the season, striking out six while working around traffic. Ethan Bowen handled a challenging fifth inning, and Walker Brockie slammed the door late, striking out eight over the final two innings to close out the opener.
Aquinas 7, Brescia 2 (Game 2)
The nightcap followed a familiar script early, as Aquinas absorbed a pair of runs before steadily taking control behind clean at-bats and relentless pressure. Brescia plated single runs in the second and third innings on groundouts, but the Saints stayed composed and within striking distance.
Aquinas answered in the fourth with crisp, connected swings. Joey Hysell doubled to left to spark the inning, and Kasy Shadduck followed by ripping a double of his own to left field to put AQ on the board. Moments later, Kaden Edwards shot a single up the middle to drive in Brayden Monroe and even the game at 2–2.
The decisive inning came in the sixth, when the Saints broke the game open by forcing Brescia to make plays. JT LaMange reached on an error with the bases loaded to bring home the go-ahead run, and Ramsey Bousseau followed with a two-run double into the left-center gap. Stephen Weinert added a sacrifice fly to cap the four-run frame, giving Aquinas full control.
Eric Bryce put the finishing touch on the sweep in the seventh, launching a solo home run to center field to provide additional insurance. Shadduck finished the game with a pair of doubles, while Edwards reached base three times as AQ totaled nine hits.
On the mound, Sam Pollack worked 4.2 innings in his season debut, allowing two runs while striking out four. Aaron Hileman recorded a key out in relief before Travis Weide took over and shut things down, retiring all five batters he faced and striking out three to earn the win.
Inside the Numbers
• Aquinas outscored Brescia 13–5 across the doubleheader
• Ramsey Bousseau totaled four hits, four RBIs, a double, and a home run
• Kasy Shadduck recorded three doubles on the day
• AQ pitchers combined for 22 strikeouts
• The Saints committed just one error in 14 innings
Coach's Comments
Head Coach Chris LaMange liked what he saw from his club coming out of the gates:
"It was a great day for the Saints in Tennessee. We got two really strong performances from our sophomore starting pitchers, Lubbers and Pollack, and they set the tone for the day. If we're giving up five runs total in a doubleheader, I like our chances to come away with two wins.
Bousseau once again led us offensively, picking up right where he left off last season. Considering it had been 115 days since our last time on a baseball field, I was really pleased with how we performed in the season opener. Now the goal is to come back tomorrow and build on it."
Up Next
The Saints and Bearcats will wrap up the series with another doubleheader on Super Bowl Sunday before Aquinas makes the 11-plus hour trip back to Grand Rapids. AQ will return to action on February 21, heading back to Tennessee for a matchup with Cumberland. Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, full coverage, and postgame recaps from around Aquinas Athletics.
