Howell, Mich. — Championship-level baseball late in the conference regular season isn't always pretty. It's gritty. It's uncomfortable. It demands teams find different ways to win when the script flips, the weather turns, or momentum disappears. For Aquinas on Thursday, it was all of the above. And in a day that tested resolve at every turn, the Saints answered the call—bouncing back from a frustrating opener to grind out a critical split against Cleary with just four regular season games remaining.
Cleary 7, Aquinas 1 (Game 1)
Game one was a tough pill to swallow for the Saints, who struck first but couldn't sustain momentum against a sharp Cleary performance.
Aquinas wasted no time getting on the board as Dylan Nguyen launched a solo home run in the top of the first, giving AQ an early spark and a 1-0 lead. From there, however, offense proved hard to come by as the Saints were limited to just a handful of hits on the afternoon.
Joey Hysell and Zachary Hayes each contributed base hits, while Hayes added some energy on the bases, but the Saints struggled to string together sustained pressure. The middle innings proved decisive, as Cleary capitalized on opportunities and forced AQ to play from behind.
On the mound, Sam Pollack battled through the early innings before handing things off to Aaron Moore, who provided stability out of the bullpen. Despite the final score, there were moments defensively where AQ showed flashes of the clean, controlled baseball that has fueled their success this season.
Sometimes baseball humbles you. Game one was that reminder.
Aquinas 13, Cleary 10 (Game 2)
If game one tested the Saints, game two defined them.
After falling behind early—and then enduring multiple lightning delays that disrupted rhythm and momentum—Aquinas found itself staring at a significant deficit midway through the game. But this is where the identity of this team took center stage.
Out of the second lightning delay, the Saints didn't just return to the field—they returned to themselves.
Trailing big, AQ chipped away with relentless, team-first baseball. JT LaMange ignited the comeback with a clutch two-run double, while Dylan Nguyen and Chase Robinson continued to apply pressure with timely at-bats.
The middle innings became a masterclass in "AQ baseball"—aggressive baserunning, situational hitting, and forcing the opponent to make plays. Kaden Edwards delivered a huge spark off the bench with two RBI, while Zachary Hayes drove in a pair and consistently came through in key moments.
Brodie Gregory was everywhere—reaching base, driving in runs, and setting the tone for a lineup that refused to go quietly. Brayden Monroe added multiple hits, and Joey Hysell and Nguyen kept the pressure on as the Saints methodically erased the deficit.
Then came the turning point.
A five-run sixth inning flipped the game on its head, fueled by disciplined at-bats, aggressive decisions, and an unshakable belief that the comeback was coming. By the time AQ added insurance in the seventh, the Saints had completely seized control.
On the mound, it was a tale of resilience. After a tough start, Hunter Doyle steadied things, and Walker Brockie delivered a lights-out performance down the stretch—shutting the door with dominant innings to earn the win.
From being outscored heavily early in the day to finishing with a statement victory—this was grit, toughness, and belief in its purest form.
Following the doubleheader, the Cougars now stand 27-19 overall, 16-10 in the WHAC. The Saints improve to 25-22 on the season and 17-9 in conference play.
Saints Snapshots
• The response was everything — After a tough opener and falling behind early in game two, AQ flipped the script with an offensive surge and relentless pressure when it mattered most.
• Depth delivers — Contributions came up and down the line-up, with Nguyen, Gregory, Hayes, Edwards, and others all playing key roles in the comeback effort.
• Championship pitching response — Brockie's shutdown performance out of the bullpen gave AQ exactly what it needed to stabilize and close.
• AQ baseball at its best — The Saints forced the issue with baserunning, situational hitting, and capitalizing on mistakes—turning momentum one pitch at a time.
• Playing for May — With two games left, AQ showed it can win in multiple ways—an essential trait with the WHAC Tournament looming.
Coach's Comments
Head Coach Chris LaMange spoke about the response of his team after a challenging and unconventional day:
"I'm really proud of how our guys came back and won game two. We're sitting in that second lightning delay, down big on the day, and our guys made a decision—they were going to come out and compete. They found a way to walk out with a win, and this time of year, that's the name of the game. It's not always going to be perfect, but you've got to find a way to get the 'W.'"
Up Next
Aquinas Baseball returns to Howell on Saturday for the final two games of the regular season against Cleary. With the WHAC Tournament picture set to come into full focus, every inning carries weight as AQ and Cornerstone prepare to co-host postseason play.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage of AQ Baseball and all Saints athletics.
