Rockford, Mich. – The Aquinas College Softball team continues to face hardships during conference play. They struggled in game one against UM-Dearborn getting mercied in five innings, and fell in a close second game by two runs. Despite the setback the team converted a triple play and made a late offensive push.
Aquinas 1, UM-Dearborn 9 (Game 1)
The Wolverines took control early, staying patient at the plate and capitalizing on walks through the first two innings. UM-Dearborn built a seven-run advantage before the Saints were able to slow the momentum.
Aquinas answered with a highlight defensive play in the opening inning. Sydney Bosgraaf snagged a pop-up and quickly fired to first where Katie Carlson was covering before the ball was relayed to second baseman Bella Asai to complete a triple play and end the Wolverines' at-bat.
Daniela Anzaldua provided the Saints' first spark at the plate in the second inning with a double, though she was left stranded. After a pitching change, Aquinas held UM-Dearborn to just one run in the following frame while Maci Willey added a single for AQ.
The Saints tightened up defensively in the fourth inning, holding the Wolverines scoreless. Abby Nieswender reached on a single in the bottom half of the inning before Karigann Cuthbert drove a double into the outfield to bring home Aquinas' lone run of the game.
UM-Dearborn pushed across one more run to extend the lead and enforce the mercy rule when the Saints were unable to answer in the bottom of the fifth.
Aquinas 2, UM-Dearborn 4 (Game 2)
The Saints opened game two with a strong defensive start, retiring the Wolverines in order in the first inning. Anzaldua caught a line drive while Addy Buchin and Alea Fisher each made clean plays in the field to keep the game tied 0-0 heading into the second.
UM-Dearborn broke through in the second inning with two runs before Aquinas closed the frame with strong defensive plays. McKenna Hinkle tracked down a pop-up in center field, Buchin recorded a strikeout, and Fisher made a diving stop at shortstop to end the threat.
Both teams settled into a defensive rhythm through the middle innings as the score remained unchanged through the third, fourth, and fifth. The Wolverines eventually added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings to stretch their lead to 4-0.
Aquinas made one final push in the bottom of the seventh. Cuthbert worked a walk and Nieswender reached on a Wolverines error to put runners on base. Phoenix Shaw followed with a single to load the bases before Carlson delivered an RBI single to put the Saints on the board. Fisher then lifted a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to two runs.
Despite the late rally, the Saints were unable to complete the comeback and fell 4-2, as UM-Dearborn secured the doubleheader sweep.
Coaches Comments
"Today didn't go the way we wanted on the scoreboard, but I'm proud of how our team kept competing. The triple play in game one and the way we fought back in the seventh inning of game two showed the kind of effort and resilience this group has," said head coach Patty Jansen "We're continuing to grow, and if we keep bringing that energy and focus, the results will start to follow."
Up Next
The Saints will look to bounce back on their home turf Wednesday, March 24th, as they take on crosstown rival Cornerstone in a doubleheader scheduled for 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.
