Rockford, Mich. — Friday's doubleheader with Cleary was the kind of day that leaves both dugouts replaying the "what ifs" on the ride home. The Saints found the big swings and late answers to steal the opener, then watched the Cougars return the favor in a 10-inning nightcap. For a young Aquinas team still learning how to finish, it was the kind of split that can sting in the moment but pay off down the road.

Game 1 — Aquinas 8, Cleary 6

The opener was a showcase of AQ's offensive resilience.

After falling behind 3-0 in the second and trailing 5-3 after four, the Saints kept chipping away. Katie Carlson's two-run homer in the third was the first big jolt, trimming the deficit and waking up the Aquinas dugout. From there, the Saints stayed relentless.

Karigann Cuthbert was electric, tripling twice and scoring two runs, while Maci Willey delivered a huge afternoon with two hits and two RBI, including game-tying and go-ahead knocks in the middle innings.

AQ finally broke through for good in the sixth. After Cuthbert's second triple tied the game setup, Willey brought her home, Jadalyn Lopez added an RBI single, and the Saints capitalized on a Cleary miscue to plate the decisive insurance run.

The Saints pounded out 13 hits, with Alea Fisher, Mallory Buikema, Cuthbert, and Willey all collecting multiple knocks. Sydney Bosgraaf battled through traffic all afternoon in the circle and did exactly what veteran winners do — kept the game within reach long enough for the offense to finish the comeback.

Game 2 — Cleary 4, Aquinas 2 (10 innings)

If game one was about AQ's ability to answer, game two was a painful lesson in how thin the margin can be.

The Saints and Cougars traded blows deep into extras in what became a true pitcher's duel.

Emma Austin was outstanding, giving Aquinas nine strong innings and allowing just two runs, only one of them earned, while repeatedly pitching out of trouble. Cleary finally broke through in the seventh to tie it, then again in the ninth to grab a 2-1 edge.

But once again, the Saints had an answer.

In the bottom of the ninth, Bella Asai opened with a single, and after a productive sacrifice, Daniela Anzaldua came through with the clutch RBI hit that tied the game and extended the afternoon.

The heartbreak came in the 10th when Cleary used an RBI triple and a wild pitch to score two, creating the final separation.

Even in the loss, AQ's growth showed. McKenna Hinkle had two hits, Alea Fisher drove in a run with a fifth-inning double, and Anzaldua delivered the late clutch swing that nearly stole the sweep.

Saints Snapshots

• Comeback DNA: AQ erased multiple deficits in the opener and never let Cleary settle.
• Carlson Changed the Energy: The third-inning two-run blast flipped the dugout's momentum.
• Cuthbert Lived at Third: Two triples, two runs, and pressure all afternoon.
• Austin Gave AQ Every Chance: Nine brilliant innings kept the Saints in control of the nightcap.
• One Swing Short of the Sweep: AQ pushed game two to the brink before extras slipped away.

Coach's Comments

"This is still a very young group, and what I continue to love is how much better they are getting," said head coach Patty Jansen. "We're starting to see the game slow down for them in the biggest moments. In game one, they kept believing and found a way. In game two, we were right there again. The consistency piece comes with experience, and if this team keeps growing the way it is, I truly believe their ceiling is as high as their potential allows."

Up Next

With a full week to sharpen a few areas, Aquinas should be rested and ready when it returns to action next Saturday against Defiance. The doubleheader is set to begin with game one at 1:00 p.m.

Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage of AQ Softball and all Saints athletics.