Melbourne, Fla. — If the Saints are searching for that one spark to ignite the offense during the Florida trip, the good news is that everything else in the equation has been pretty solid. Pitching has been sharp. Defense has been dependable. And more often than not, the Saints have found themselves right in the middle of tight, low-scoring battles. Sunday continued that theme for Aquinas as AQ split another pair of games in Melbourne, shutting out Hastings in the opener before dropping a tough 2–0 decision to Olivet Nazarene in a game where the Saints had the tying — and potentially winning — runs on base in the final inning.
Aquinas 5, Hastings 0 (Game 1 Sunday)
The Saints opened Sunday morning with one of their most complete performances of the Florida trip, combining a strong offensive showing with dominant pitching and clean defense.
Addy Buchin was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just three hits and striking out five Hastings hitters. The junior right-hander kept the Broncos off balance throughout the contest and never allowed the opposition to mount a serious scoring threat.
Offensively, Aquinas wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. McKenna Hinkle started the game with a double and moments later Katie Carlson delivered an RBI double to left field to give AQ an early 1–0 advantage.
Hinkle was everywhere in the opener, finishing the game with four hits and scoring three runs to pace the Saints offense.
Carlson also had a big morning at the plate, collecting four hits of her own while driving in three runs. Her biggest swing came in the fifth inning when she launched a two-run homer that extended the Saints lead to 3–0.
Moments later, Abby Nieswender followed Carlson's blast with a solo home run of her own to push the Aquinas advantage to 4–0.
The Saints continued to apply pressure throughout the contest, piling up 13 hits in the game. Alea Fisher and Bella Asai each added hits, while Karigann Cuthbert and Phoenix Shaw also contributed to the offensive attack.
Aquinas added one final run in the seventh inning when Fisher lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Hinkle to cross the plate for her third run of the game.
With Buchin continuing to deal in the circle and the defense making the routine plays behind her, the Saints cruised to the 5–0 victory to start the day.
Olivet Nazarene 2, Aquinas 0 (Game 2 Sunday)
The afternoon game proved to be another classic pitchers' duel as both teams traded scoreless innings for much of the contest.
Sydney Bosgraaf delivered another strong outing for the Saints, working six innings while allowing just one run and keeping Aquinas within striking distance throughout the game.
Olivet Nazarene finally broke the scoreless tie in the sixth inning with a bases-loaded single that pushed across the game's first run.
The Tigers added an insurance run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to make it 2–0.
Despite the deficit, the Saints refused to go quietly.
Aquinas matched Olivet Nazarene with seven hits in the game as Katie Carlson, Abby Nieswender, Alea Fisher, Mallory Buikema, Bella Asai, and Jadalyn Lopez all collected hits.
The Saints mounted their best rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Karigann Cuthbert worked a walk before Bella Asai singled to put two runners on base.
Kenzie Green stepped in as a pinch hitter but was retired on strikes, bringing the tying run to the plate.
McKenna Hinkle then drew a walk to load the bases and bring the potential winning run aboard for Aquinas.
With the Saints threatening and the crowd sensing the moment, Daniela Anzaldua stepped in representing the tying run — but Olivet Nazarene escaped the jam with a strikeout to end the game.
It was the second straight day that AQ had opportunities late but was unable to come up with the big hit.
Saints Snapshot
The Shutout Stretch — Aquinas has now been part of four straight games featuring a shutout. The Saints have split those four contests.
The Ace — Addy Buchin fired a three-hit shutout against Hastings, striking out five to lead AQ to the 5–0 win.
The Table Setter — McKenna Hinkle reached base four times and scored three runs in the opener.
The Power — Katie Carlson delivered four hits and a two-run homer to pace the Saints offense.
The Opportunity — AQ loaded the bases in the seventh inning against Olivet Nazarene with the tying and winning runs aboard but could not deliver the big hit.
Coach's Comments
Following the games on Sunday, Head Coach Patty Jansen emphasized that the Saints are doing many things well — but the final piece of the puzzle remains timely hitting.
"Our pitching and defense have been really strong, and that's something we're proud of," Jansen said. "But to complete the equation we have to get that timely hit. For the second straight day we had opportunities late in a close game and just couldn't come up with the big swing. The good news is we're putting ourselves in position — now we just need to take advantage of it."
Up Next
The Saints will have Monday off before returning to action Tuesday for another busy day of softball. Aquinas will face Bellevue in a return matchup at 4:45 p.m. before taking on Nelson (Ariz.) later that evening at 9:00 p.m.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage of AQ Softball and all Saints athletics.
