Rockford, Mich. — Baseball can be finicky. One week you're riding high, the next you're grinding just to find footing, and before long, you're right back in the thick of a conference race.
Welcome to the 2026 Aquinas Saints.
On Sunday at the Meijer Sports Complex, AQ didn't just stabilize — they surged. With alumni in the stands and 17 seniors honored between games, the Saints delivered one of their most complete days of the season.
Two games. Two wins. And a team starting to look dangerous at exactly the right time.
Aquinas 10, Rochester Christian 2 (Game 1)
The Saints broke this one open in the third — and never looked back.
After a quiet start, AQ erupted for three runs in the third, sparked by Dylan Nguyen and Zachary Hayes setting the table. Chase Robinson delivered the big blow with a two-run single, and Joey Hysell followed with an RBI double to stretch the lead to 3-0.
Aquinas kept building from there.
In the fourth, Hayes came through again with an RBI single, and the Saints added another in the fifth as Austin Alcumbrack created pressure that turned into a run. But it was the sixth inning where AQ slammed the door.
Alcumbrack delivered a two-run double to the gap, JT LaMange followed with an RBI single, and Will Kovl added another run-scoring hit as the Saints poured on five runs to push the lead to 10-2.
Alcumbrack finished with two hits and two RBI, LaMange reached base four times and drove in a run, while Hayes added two hits and an RBI. Robinson and Hysell each delivered multi-RBI swings that helped define the game.
On the mound, Ethan Bowen was steady and in control, working six strong innings with six strikeouts, limiting Rochester Christian to just two runs. Travis Weide came on in relief and shut the door with a clean seventh.
Clean baseball, timely hitting, and a big inning — exactly what AQ needed to start the day.
Aquinas 11, Rochester Christian 1 (Game 2)
If game one was about building momentum, game two was about overwhelming it.
The Saints wasted no time, hanging a six-spot in the second inning that flipped the game immediately. Dylan Nguyen ignited the rally with a double, Brodie Gregory and JT LaMange each drove in runs, and Chase Robinson delivered a two-run single before Joey Hysell capped the inning with another two-RBI knock.
Just like that — 6-0.
AQ never let up.
Nguyen stayed hot, finishing with two hits including a triple, while LaMange added another two-hit, two-RBI performance. Eric Bryce delivered a pinch-hit double, Kasy Shadduck added an RBI single, and Landon Mueller chipped in with a sacrifice fly.
The Saints lineup was relentless — nine different players reached base, and the pressure never stopped.
On the mound, Hudson Lubbers delivered a strong start, working five innings and allowing just one unearned run while keeping Rochester Christian from ever gaining traction. Sam Pollack and Aaron Moore followed with clean relief to maintain control.
And then came the finish.
In the bottom of the seventh, with AQ already in command, the Saints closed it out in walk-off fashion as Austin Deller raced home on a wild pitch — triggering the run-rule and sealing an 11-1 victory.
A fitting ending to a day that belonged entirely to the Saints.
Seventeen Senior Saints Showcased Sunday
Between games, Aquinas honored a class that has helped define the program's culture and identity.
Blake Bennett, Eric Bryce, Brendan Burch, Austin Deller, Hunter Doyle, Kaden Edwards, Cameron Gross, Zachary Hayes, Ryan Maddock, Kaleb Mitchelson, Aaron Moore, Landon Mueller, Dylan Nguyen, Kasy Shadduck, Calvin Tkaczyk, Travis Weide, and Stephen Weinert — 17 names, one legacy.
From Florida trips to conference tournament battles, from late-night bus rides to everyday moments on the field, this group has built something lasting.
To these seniors and their families — thank you.
Once a Saint, always a Saint.
Saints Snapshots
• AQ flipped both games with early offensive pressure — a three-run third in game one and a six-run second in game two that immediately dictated tempo.
• The middle of the order delivered all day, with Chase Robinson, Joey Hysell, Austin Alcumbrack, and JT LaMange combining for multiple run-producing swings that defined the sweep.
• Dylan Nguyen was a catalyst — setting the table, creating chaos on the bases, and sparking rallies in both games.
• The pitching staff controlled everything — Ethan Bowen and Hudson Lubbers set the tone, while the bullpen finished clean and efficient behind them.
• Sunday looked like a team finding its edge — complete baseball, consistent pressure, and momentum building at exactly the right time in the WHAC race.
Coach's Comments
After the games, Head Coach Chris LaMange spoke about his team and the graduating seniors:
"Great weekend of baseball for the Saints, and it was capped off with an outstanding Senior Day where we were able to celebrate the 2026 class. I'm really proud of how we played — it was a clean two-ball day for us. We pitched it really well, and the bats are starting to heat up, which is exactly what you want to see as we get closer to the conference tournament."
Up Next
Aquinas Baseball will now prepare for a single nine-inning game on Tuesday against Olivet before hitting the road to Howell, Michigan, for a critical four-game set with Cleary to close out the regular season.
By the end of the weekend, the WHAC tournament picture should come into full focus.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage of AQ Baseball and all Saints athletics.
It's a great day to be a Saint.
