Livonia, MI – Aquinas softball saw its 2026 season come to an end Friday at the WHAC Tournament, as the Saints dropped a pair of games against tough conference opponents. Aquinas fell 6-2 to Madonna in its opening contest before suffering a 15-5 setback against Cornerstone later in the day. Despite battling throughout both games and showing flashes offensively, the Saints were unable to keep their postseason run alive, closing the year with determination and plenty to build on for the future.
Game 1 - Aquinas 2, Madonna 6
Aquinas jumped out to an early lead in game one of the WHAC Tournament. McKenna Hinkle opened the contest with a single to right field and quickly moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. The Saints capitalized moments later when a Madonna defensive miscue allowed Katie Carlson to reach safely and brought Hinkle home for the game's first run.
Madonna answered immediately in the bottom of the first, using a solo home run to even the score at 1-1.
After Aquinas was held scoreless in the second, the Crusaders seized control with two runs in the bottom half to take a 3-1 lead. Both teams then settled in defensively, as innings three, four, and the top of the fifth passed without a run.
Madonna broke through again in the bottom of the fifth, plating two more runs to extend its lead to 5-1. Alea Fisher drew a walk in the sixth, but the Saints were unable to cash in. The Crusaders added another insurance run in the bottom of the inning to push the margin to 6-1.
Aquinas mounted one final rally in the seventh. Pinch hitter Paige Metzger delivered a single, and Karigann Cuthbert followed with a walk to put runners aboard. Gabriella Mezey, running for Metzger, showcased her speed by scoring on a wild pitch to trim the deficit. The Saints, however, could get no closer, falling 6-2.
Game 2 - Aquinas 5, Cornerstone 15
Game two got off to a difficult start for Aquinas, as Cornerstone erupted for seven runs in the opening inning to take early control.
The Saints threatened in the second. Cuthbert reached base to spark the inning, and Meagan Postma laced Aquinas' first double of the game to put runners in scoring position. Willey later drew a walk to load the bases, but the Saints were unable to break through.
Cornerstone kept the pressure on in the bottom half, adding three more runs to stretch its lead to 10-0.
Aquinas got on the board in the third. Hinkle worked a leadoff walk and moved into scoring position on a flyout. Jadalyn Lopez then delivered an RBI single, bringing Hinkle home to cut the deficit to 10-1.
The Saints mounted their biggest rally in the fourth. With two outs, Willey singled to start the surge, and consecutive walks by Fisher and Hinkle loaded the bases. Carlson came through in a big way, ripping a bases-clearing double to plate three runs and trim the margin to 10-4.
Cornerstone answered right back in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on its offensive momentum with five more runs to extend the lead to 15-4.
Aquinas added one final run in the fifth. Daniela Anzaldua singled to right field, and Cuthbert followed with a base hit to put runners in scoring position. Anzaldua later crossed the plate on a wild pitch, but the Saints could draw no closer as Cornerstone secured a 15-5 victory.
Coaches Comments
"So proud of how this group battled all year. Our upper class players bought into what we were trying to accomplish from day one," said head coach Patty Jansen. "Change is hard and they make all the difference in the everyday work ethic. In the Fall we were trying to find the balance needed to become a team-and not a group of individuals. We found that balance and I am proud of how they battled all Spring long."
Up Next
Up next for Aquinas softball, the future looks bright as the Saints continue to build around a young and talented roster with plenty of upside. With a strong core gaining valuable experience and key contributors stepping into larger roles, expectations remain high as the program continues to develop its identity and compete at a high level within the WHAC. In addition, Patty Jansen led her first season at the helm, helping guide the team through a year of growth, learning, and competitive strides as the foundation for the program's future continues to take shape under her leadership. The pieces are in place for continued development and success in the seasons ahead. It's a great day to be a Saint, and an exciting time for Aquinas softball moving forward.
All Conference Accolades
Following a strong 2026 campaign, Aquinas softball was well represented in the WHAC postseason awards, with several Saints earning recognition for their outstanding performances on and off the field. McKenna Hinkle highlighted the honors list by earning First Team All-Conference and a spot on the WHAC All-Defensive Team. Katie Carlson was also recognized for her stellar season, landing Second Team All-Conference honors. Rounding out the awards, Audrey Schindler was named Aquinas' WHAC Champion of Character recipient, recognizing her leadership, integrity, and commitment both on the field and in the classroom.
McKenna Hinkle
McKenna Hinkle earned First Team All-WHAC honors and a place on the WHAC All-Defensive Team after serving as one of Aquinas' most reliable contributors throughout the 2026 season. Appearing in 51 games with 44 starts, Hinkle recorded 23 hits in 99 at-bats while posting a .232 batting average, a .333 on-base percentage, and a .575 OPS. Defensively, she was nothing short of outstanding, compiling 85 putouts and five assists without committing an error for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Her consistency at the plate and exceptional play in the field made her a cornerstone of the Saints' success this season.
Katie Carlson
Katie Carlson was a steady force in the lineup throughout the season, starting all 51 games and making a major impact offensively and defensively. At the plate, she posted a strong .381 batting average, collecting 59 hits in 155 at-bats, including 18 doubles and 4 home runs. She drove in 41 RBIs and finished with an impressive .705 slugging percentage, consistently delivering extra-base power in key moments. Defensively, Carlson handled a heavy workload with 255 putouts and 17 assists while maintaining a .975 fielding percentage, showing reliability and consistency in the field all season long.
Audrey Schindler
Audrey Schindler was selected as a WHAC Champions of Character honoree, recognizing her commitment to the NAIA's core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. A sophomore pitcher, she represents these principles both on and off the field through her work ethic, attitude, and consistency as a teammate. In addition to her role on the mound, Schindler also contributes to the athletic department in game operations, further demonstrating her dedication to supporting the program beyond her own competition. Her selection reflects the positive impact she makes within the team environment and the broader athletic community.
