The 2011 Saints baseball team finished with a record of 24-16-1.  The season will go down as one of the strangest ever, based on the league’s new makeup policy, and of course the weather.  The Saints lost fifteen varsity games and six junior varsity games to rain or cold temperatures, one third of the schedule.  Although the season was considered a success, it was frustrating and disappointing based on the teams fourth place finish in the regular season, and early exit in the conference tournament.  Along the way, the Saints managed a seventeen game winning streak with several players receiving recognition for their individual accomplishments.

This year’s spring trip ended with a record of 3-8-1, against a schedule filled with ranked teams.  Although not satisfied with the number of wins, the Saints played six extra inning games and showed signs of being a highly competitive team.  In many ways, the first week of baseball was a sign of things to come for the Saints, as they would deal with key injuries and frustrating losses throughout the season.

The Saints returned from Florida and started league play on a high note, sweeping Siena Heights the first weekend.  In fact, Aquinas swept their first three conference series going 2-0 against Indiana Tech and Concordia for a 7-0 conference mark.  During that four week stretch, the Saints won all of their games, posting a seventeen game winning streak.  The Saints did not lose to a non-conference opponent after returning from Florida.  During the streak the Saints swept Northwood, Rochester, Purdue North Central, and Hope.  The Saints ended their season by sweeping local rival Calvin College at Fifth Third Park.

A mid-season four game showdown with Madonna was shortened by weather to a doubleheader that proved to be heartbreaking for the Saints.  Aquinas dropped two one run games in which they held leads late in the contest.  Rain cancelled non-league games the following week and the Saints dropped two out of three games at Northwestern Ohio the following weekend.  Rain again cancelled all   non-conference games the next week, so the Saints headed into the final series of the season in second place needing a split with local rival Davenport to finish second.  The Saints dominated the first game of the series, but lost the next two games, setting up a showdown that would determine the order of finish in the WHAC.  The final game of the series was decided in the bottom of the tenth inning when Davenport erased a one run deficit with a two out walk off homerun.  The crushing loss dropped the Saints to fourth place, causing them to host a conference tournament play- in series the next day.  Aquinas lost to Siena Heights to end their season. 

Just like the entire season, the Saints battled.  They out hit their opponents throughout the year and pitched much better than anticipated.  The weather had a big impact on all teams this spring, but certainly affected a young Saints squad as they went 2-7 in their last three conference series, and didn’t play a non-league game the last three weeks of the season.  Injuries are always part of the game, but the loss of senior Drew Huard one third of the way through the season was a blow to the Saints lineup.  This year’s four seniors, Kennen Less, Cory Garneau, Nick Papes, and Drew Huard led by example, and all had extremely valuable and important contributions to a successful season.

The Saints placed four players on the All -Conference team.  Kennen Less was outstanding for the Saints on the field and in the classroom.  He carried the Saints with his performance for most of the season and was one of the top players in the conference.  Three sophomores were also selected.  Vince Misiewicz had a stellar year for the Saints on the mound.  Michael Penny was a catalyst for the offense and a defensive gem in the outfield.  Austin King was the league’s best third baseman, capturing a gold glove award for his defensive abilities.  Honorable Mention All-Conference players included Brent Butgereit (DH), Ryan Grigonis (SS), Taylor Pawlanta (OF), and Cory Garneau (LHP) who also earned a gold glove for the best fielding pitcher.

Aquinas had three players earn Academic All American status, Drew Huard, Kennen Less, and Nick Papes.  Kennen Less was also recognized as the top male student athlete at Aquinas College, earning the prestigious Joseph Baker Award.