By Alexander Rodriguez
Saints High Five during a game – Photo by Aquinas Athletics
The Aquinas College softball team opened conference play after a 22-game nonconference slate, taking on No. 5 Madonna University and the University of Michigan-Dearborn in back-to-back doubleheaders.
Aquinas entered conference competition with an 18-4 record, alongside Madonna, which held a 20-2 mark. In the opener, Madonna scored early, taking a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the second inning. Aquinas responded with a string of hits to score its only run of the game in the second.
Despite the early push, the Saints fell 8-1 in the first matchup. In the second game of the doubleheader, McKenna Hinkle and Katie Carlson each scored, keeping Aquinas within one run at 3-2 entering the fourth inning. Madonna responded with five runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to secure a 13-3 win.
The following day, Aquinas faced Michigan-Dearborn in another conference doubleheader. The Wolverines built a seven-run lead early in the first game. Aquinas answered defensively with a triple play to halt momentum. Abby Niewender and Cuthbert contributed hits that led to the Saints’ lone run, but the Wolverines closed out a 9-1 victory in five innings.
Saints go to bat – Photo by Aquinas Athletics
In the second game, both teams remained scoreless through the first inning before Michigan-Dearborn took a 2-0 lead in the second. Strong defensive play on both sides kept the score unchanged until the seventh inning, when the Wolverines extended their lead to 4-0.
Aquinas mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh. Cuthbert and Niewender reached base, and with the bases loaded, Carlson delivered an RBI single. Alea Fisher followed with a sacrifice fly RBI, but the comeback fell short in a 4-2 loss.
Despite the 0-4 start in conference play, the Saints entered the stretch with an 18-4 overall record and positive momentum from nonconference competition.
“Our softball program has been awesome this year,” Hinkle said. “Based on the team’s performance, I think that we have been very successful in the start of our season. After all, our team chemistry has never been so great in all of my four years here because we all get along and have fun together. The game becomes more fun when you play as a team and share a field with your best friends, who all want to succeed.”
Carlson said the team’s identity has been shaped by adapting to change.
“This season has been a lot about buying into change with new coaches and a very young team,” Carlson said. “This buy-in has shown in our team culture and the way we pick each other up on and off the field. We have a contagious energy that has propelled us to win games and we look to carry that into the conference season. This has been a really fun group to play with, and that focused energy has gotten us to come through in big moments. We have a team of 22 strong girls ready to go at any given moment during a game.”
Aquinas will return to action against Cornerstone at the Meijer Sports Complex in a doubleheader scheduled for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The Saint 