Auburndale, Fla. — As the Aquinas baseball team continues its spring trip through Florida, the Saints are using every inning as an opportunity to sharpen their game. The warm weather provides the perfect training ground, but more importantly, the Saints are learning how to battle through adversity and find ways to win games — a lesson that played out in dramatic fashion during Friday's doubleheader against Dordt.
After dropping the opener, Aquinas regrouped and responded with a gritty victory in game two to earn a split on the day.
Dordt 7, Aquinas 3 (Game 1)
The Saints showed plenty of fight late in the opener, but a pair of middle-inning rallies from Dordt proved to be the difference in a 7–3 loss in the first game of the doubleheader.
Aquinas collected seven hits in the contest and put pressure on the Dordt pitching staff throughout the afternoon. Stephen Weinert continued his strong start to the trip, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, and an RBI to lead the Saints offensively.
Chase Robinson also had a strong day at the plate, collecting three hits including a double and driving in a run while consistently putting the ball in play for Aquinas.
Early on, the game featured a pitcher's duel as starter Korbyn Russell worked four innings for the Saints. Russell struck out five and limited damage through the early frames, keeping the game scoreless into the middle innings.
Aquinas had early chances offensively as Weinert reached base in the first inning and Dylan Nguyen drew a walk in the third to help spark an opportunity. Joey Hysell and Kasy Shadduck also worked quality at-bats, but Dordt starter Bennett Spronk was able to escape the early threats.
The game turned in the fourth inning when Dordt strung together several hits to plate three runs and take the early lead. The Defenders added three more runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to extend their advantage.
Despite trailing late, the Saints refused to go quietly.
In the seventh inning, Weinert launched a solo home run to center field to get Aquinas on the board and spark a late rally. Hysell followed by reaching base after being hit by a pitch, and Shadduck delivered a single to keep the inning alive.
Robinson then ripped a double to drive in another run, and moments later the Saints plated a third run on a wild pitch to trim the deficit to four.
Unfortunately, the rally came one swing short as Dordt closed out the inning to secure the win.
Hunter Doyle and Christopher Steffan also saw time on the mound for Aquinas, helping to finish the game and keep the Saints within striking distance.
Aquinas 4, Dordt 3 (Game 2)
If the opener showed the Saints' resilience, the nightcap proved they could turn those lessons into a victory.
Aquinas edged Dordt 4–3 in a tightly contested second game behind strong pitching and timely hitting.
The Saints fell behind early when Dordt plated a run in the first inning, but Aquinas answered quickly in the bottom of the second.
JT LaMange ignited the rally with a single before Ruston Whitten worked a walk. After a sacrifice bunt by Brodie Gregory moved both runners into scoring position, Stephen Weinert reached base to keep the pressure on.
Moments later, Dylan Nguyen delivered an RBI ground ball to score LaMange, and aggressive base running from Eric Bryce allowed the Saints to steal home (part of a double-steal), giving Aquinas a 2–1 lead.
The Saints added another run in the fourth inning when Nguyen singled and later came around to score on an RBI base hit by Chase Robinson.
Aquinas continued to apply pressure in the fifth as Mason Ruether reached base and advanced into scoring position before Zachary Hayes delivered a clutch RBI single to extend the Saints' lead to 4–1.
Dordt fought back in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a pair of Aquinas errors to score two runs and cut the lead to 4–3.
But the Saints pitching staff shut the door from there.
Starter Ethan Bowen delivered a quality outing, working four innings and allowing just two hits while striking out two to keep Dordt's offense under control.
Aaron Hileman picked up the win in relief, battling through a key fifth inning before the Saints turned the game over to the bullpen.
With the tying run threatening in the later innings, Travis Weide entered the game and was dominant, tossing two hitless innings and striking out three to record the save and secure the victory.
Inside the Numbers (for the day)
• Aquinas pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts across the doubleheader.
• Chase Robinson collected four hits on the day, including a double and two RBI.
• Stephen Weinert reached base four times in the opener and homered in the seventh inning.
• The Saints bullpen allowed no hits in the final two innings of game two.
• Former AQ Head Coach Doug Greenslate stopped by to watch his beloved Saints play on Friday.
Coach's Comments
Following the split, Head Coach Chris LaMange emphasized the importance of the Saints' pitching performance and their ability to grind out a close victory.
"I was overall happy with how we played today. Dordt came in with two big wins over No. 3 ranked Southeastern, so we knew they were going to be a tough opponent. Our pitching was really solid for the majority of the day. Russell and Bowen both gave us quality starts, and then Weide really slammed the door in game two with two hitless innings. It was big for us to get the split today, and learning how to win a one-run game is one of the keys to having a truly successful season."
Up Next
The Saints will get right back to work on Saturday with another pair of games at Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale, Florida.
Aquinas will face Dickinson State in a pair of seven-inning contests as the Saints continue their spring trip.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, full coverage, and postgame recaps from around Aquinas Athletics.
