2010 Men's Baseball Schedule

Head Coach: Doug Greenslate #36 (9th year)

Baseball Coach Emeritus: Terry Bocian
Assistant Coaches: Ed Herrera, Matt Bocian, Mark Rasmussen
2009 Record: 27-21 overall, 12-8 WHAC

The Saints headed south in early March confident and ready to wipe away the memories of last year's disappointing season.  A challenging schedule of quality NAIA opponents, including three teams ranked in the top twenty-five preseason poll awaited the Saints.  Aquinas started strong sweeping Marian the first day, but that was the highlight of the trip.  The Saints lost the next eight of nine games in five days to finish the trip with a 3-8 record.  Although the won/loss record was disappointing, there were many positive signs and performances throughout the week the team could build from.  As expected, the defense was improved and very impressive at all positions.  The offense showed signs of being improved as well.  More experience, better balance, and an effective bunting game fueled the offense.  The most glaring concern the trip revealed was with the Saints pitching.  Thought to be a strength of this year's staff was the bullpen, which struggled not only in Florida, but throughout the season.  The pitching staff returned from Florida with concerns and questions over a fourth league starter, quality depth and the bullpen.

Taking some of the sting out of the discouraging record of the spring break trip was the ability to practice and play outside in Grand Rapids when the team returned.  After a couple of exhibition games with local Community Colleges', the Saints traveled the following weekend to Indiana where they swept Indiana Wesleyan and beat Trine University.  The weather continued to cooperate as the Saints prepared for their opening weekend of league play with a pair of exhibition wins and a loss to Alma College the last week of March.  The team continued to gain confidence with consistent play and practice, as conference play began with Indiana Tech.

Conference play opened with a thud, as the Warrior's swept the Saints.  Aquinas lost an extra inning game at Tech and lost a two run lead in the seventh inning of the first game at home on Sunday to put the Saints in a hole after the first weekend of conference play.  Fortunately, the Saints rebounded the following  weekend by sweeping Concordia, setting up a crucial Easter weekend series with new league member and cross town rival Davenport University.  After dropping the first game in ten innings, Aquinas won the next three games of the series moving them into third place.  The highly competitive Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference race was tightening up as the first place team, Madonna, series loomed the last weekend of conference play.  To set up that showdown, Aquinas battled an improved Siena Heights squad in their rivalry for the Saints Cup.  After dropping a one run game on the road, the Aquinas Saints responded by winning the next three games to surpass Indiana Tech and set up a conference championship showdown series with Madonna.

Aquinas needed to win three out of four games against Madonna to force a tie for the championship, which Aquinas would earn based on head to head competition.  The teams split a doubleheader Saturday in Grand Rapids, forcing Aquinas to sweep on the road at Madonna.  In a game for the ages, Aquinas won the first game 9-8 in extra innings to force a true championship game.  It was not meant to be however, as Madonna claimed the league championship, and earned the right to host the conference tournament.  As a result of the loss, Aquinas finished in a tie for second place with Indiana Tech, who claimed the second seed and a bye in the conference tournament, because of sweeping the season series against the Saints.

The Saints entered the conference tournament with something to prove after making a second half run and nearly winning the conference crown.  Aquinas started strong, defeating Siena Heights in the first game.  Aquinas then played Indiana Tech, who rallied from an 8-5 deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning to crush the Saints hopes, and send them to the loser's bracket.  The Saints then faced Davenport in an elimination game, and took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth, before surrendering three runs and losing another heartbreaker 4-3. 

The season had a number of team and individual highlights.  The Saints posted 6-13 record in March, but improved the rest of the year and closed strong to finish with a successful overall record of 27-22.  The Saints posted a 12-6 non-conference schedule up north that included wins over Olivet, Rochester, and Calvin College.  The Saints split a doubleheader with Hope College in their annual game at Fifth Third Park, and ended their season with a loss to the Chippewa's at Central Michigan University.  

Several Saints garnished post season honors.  First team All Conference players included catcher Corey Gross, outfielder Jon Morse, and pitcher Marc Sobota.  Earl Clover, Adam Farrell, Mike Kaiser, and Kennen Less earned honorable mention status.  Making the grade to earn Academic All Conference status were Andrew Bard, Earl Clover, Will Eberle, Adam Farrell, and Dan Salvati.   Earning Academic All American honors were Will Eberle, Nick Papes, and for the second consecutive year, Dan Salvati.  Dan Salvati also represented Aquinas as its Champions of Character player.    By a vote of the team, the Dennis Molnar Memorial Award for most valuable player was awarded to Corey Gross, Jon Morse, and Marc Sobota.  The Val Bocian Best Teammate Award was voted to Dan Salvati.