By Sam Bell, Sports Editor
Image courtesy of Anna Kenny

The Aquinas softball team has officially started their season, and they sure aren’t holding anything back.

The Saints started their season off on Feb. 25 in the St. Ambrose tournament in Davenport, Iowa. The ladies swept the tournament, defeating Judson University and Mount Mercy University once a piece and Saint Ambrose University twice. During this tournament they outscored their opponents 13-6.

Over spring break, the team headed down to beautiful Tucson, Arizona to spend the week playing various teams throughout the country. They proved they are a force to be reckoned with as they went 13-1. They started the break with an impressive 10-1 mercy rule victory against Dakota Wesleyan University.  Later that day they defeated Douglas College, 3-2. The following day, the Saints came marching in and won their three games on the day against Dakota State University, Bethel College and Mount Marty College. They took two more home the next day, taking down Presentation College and University of Jamestown. After a much deserved day off, the team went back to work and tallied up three more W’s against Hiram College, Bethany Lutheran College and Dordt College. On March 10 the Saints got handed their first loss, getting beat by the University of Saint Francis by a score of 8-1. They bounced back though, defeating Dickinson State University 8-1. In their last day of the trip the ladies went 2-0, taking down both Dakota State University and Arizona Christian.

Of course, since the team has returned back to Michigan there have been a variety of schedule changes due to the weather and field conditions. Their doubleheaders on March 17 and 18 against Judson University and Saint Xavier University got canceled, as well as their March 22 game against Spring Arbor University. Luckily they were able to squeeze in a triple header on March 19 in Rosemont, Illinois, and headed home with three more games in the win column. The Saints took two from Roosevelt College, 3-0 and 8-0, respectively. They also beat Judson University by a score of 2-0.  Then on March 24 they won one game and tied in the other against Purdue University Northwest.

When asked about how the season is going so far, head coach Brad Koch said, “Our coaching staff couldn’t be more proud of what the girls have accomplished so far and are very excited to see what conference play brings.”

The Saints go back in action, and start conference play, on March 29 against Concordia at West Catholic High School. Game one of the doubleheader will start at 2:00 p.m. Be sure to go out and support!