Rockford, Mich. — This is the week where good teams decide what they want to be. With the final weekend of WHAC play looming and postseason positioning on the line, Tuesday's early-week non-conference match-up wasn't just another game — it was an opportunity. An opportunity to get fresh legs on the field, extend the pitching staff, and build the kind of rhythm and confidence that can carry into a championship push. Aquinas checked every box.
Aquinas 4, Olivet 2
Aquinas found a way late, using timely hitting and a deep, deliberate pitching plan to secure a 4-2 victory over the Comets.
The Saints broke through first in the fifth inning. Will Kovl worked a walk and immediately applied pressure on the basepaths, swiping second before JT LaMange delivered with an RBI single to give AQ a 1-0 lead.
Olivet answered in the eighth, capitalizing on a pair of hits and an Aquinas miscue to push across two unearned runs and take a 2-1 advantage. The response from the Saints was immediate — and exactly what good teams produce this time of year.
In the bottom half of the inning, Kaden Edwards sparked the rally with a single, and the Saints went to work. After Nathan Schab entered as a pinch runner and aggressively moved into scoring position, Kovl delivered the defining swing of the game — a two-run single to right field that flipped the scoreboard back in Aquinas' favor. Moments later, Kovl came around to score on a passed ball, stretching the lead to 4-2.
Kovl turned in a complete performance, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a walk, and two stolen bases, impacting the game in every phase. Edwards added a pair of hits off the bench, while Austin Deller brought energy with a triple and two stolen bases. Chase Robinson contributed an extra-base hit with a double, and JT LaMange accounted for the Saints' first run-producing swing of the afternoon.
On the mound, Aquinas executed the early-week plan to perfection, showcasing both depth and versatility. Eight different pitchers combined to allow just five hits while striking out 17 Comet hitters. Carson Winans set the tone with two scoreless innings and four strikeouts, while Cameron Gross followed with three punchouts in his inning of work.
Brendan Burch, Chris Steffan, Calvin Tkaczyk, and Aaron Hileman each delivered clean innings to bridge the middle frames, keeping the game within reach. Aidan Schauss earned the win, working through Olivet's eighth-inning push, and Kaleb Mitchelson closed the door in the ninth to secure the save.
With the win, the Saints improve to 24-21, while the Comets drop to 15-16.
Saints Snapshots
• Kovl leads the charge — 2 hits, 2 RBIs, 2 stolen bases, and the go-ahead swing in the eighth
• Depth delivers — Edwards (2 hits) and Weinert (hit) provide key production off the bench
• Staff effort — eight pitchers combine for 17 strikeouts and just five hits allowed
• Deller's spark — triple and two stolen bases keep constant pressure on the defense
• Answering the moment — Saints respond to an eighth-inning deficit with a three-run rally
• Closing time — Mitchelson locks down the ninth to secure the win
Coach's Comments
Head Coach Chris LaMange emphasized the value of the early-week opportunity and the team's collective response.
"I thought this was exactly what we needed right now. We were able to get a lot of guys meaningful opportunities and see different arms in real situations, and that's huge heading into a big weekend. What I really liked was the response in the eighth — no panic, just guys trusting their preparation and competing. That's the kind of baseball we need to carry forward."
Up Next
AQ Baseball will conclude the regular season with a pair of doubleheaders in Howell, Michigan, against Cleary. The first games are scheduled for Thursday at 3:00 pm, followed by a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage of AQ Baseball and all Saints athletics.
