Story by Shane Lydon, Saint Reporter

Image courtesy of aqsaints.com

The Aquinas Baseball team ended their fall schedule of the 2017-2018 season with a 4-6 record through 10 games. With the majority of games coming in the spring, these first few games served as an entree for what is to come next semester.

The boys kicked off their campaign with a non-conference double header against Trinity International University at Kimble Field. A relatively tight first game was won by the AQ Saints, 3-0. This game was decided early with the three runs coming in the first two innings courtesy of Todd Krolewski, Mitchell Weber and Drew Hernandez.

Despite falling behind 1-0 in the first inning in the second game, Aquinas rallied in style to hit 17 runs in succession with 11 coming in the fourth inning. A stunning performance by AQ was highlighted by home runs from Nick Brzezinski, Sterling Brinker, Weber and Hayden Modaff.

Aquinas travelled to Lima, Ohio to begin their conference campaign by taking on the University of North Western Ohio in three games. It was always going to be a test for the AQ boys as UNOH is seen as preseason favorites to win the conference.

Despite a resilient effort in game one, six runs in the eighth inning proved to be too much for Aquinas to come back as they went down 15-6. Two runs for Brzezinski as well as one each for Krolewski, Jack Trimble, Jake Ackley and Hernandez ensured the game remained in the balance until the eighth inning.

Eight runs without reply in the first six innings gave Aquinas too much to do in game two. Another strong performance by UNOH sent Aquinas to another defeat in conference play. Grant Smitz was the sole scorer for Aquinas in a 13-1 loss.

Aquinas gave a decent account of themselves in the third game before falling to an 11-5 defeat. Runs on the day came from Krolewski, Brinker, Weber and Nick Hepner.

Next up for the boys was a non-conference double header against Cleary University at Kimble Field. After three tough defeats by UNOH, Aquinas responded in style by winning both games, 3-2 and 4-2 respectively. Aquinas rallied impressively from 2-0 down to take the first game with runs coming from Ackley, Hepner and Smitz. Game two was another tight encounter but runs from Krolewski, Ackley, Brinker and Hernandez sealed a second consecutive victory.

Madonna University was Aquinas’ final opponents this fall as the Saints travelled to Livonia, Michigan for three conference games. It was a tough weekend for the team as they were defeated in all three outings. Despite an even first two innings, six runs for Madonna in the third inning proved crucial in game one as Aquinas went down 10-6. This was followed by a 13-3 defeat in game two. When the team returned to action for game three, Aquinas produced a valiant effort before going down 13-8 to leave them waiting for their first win in conference play.

Although a tough start to conference action, the Saints can take solace in knowing they’ve played two of the strongest teams in the division. The boys return to action in March with a host of games in Florida before a conference showdown with University of Michigan, Dearborn at Kimble Field on March 17.