April 3, 2006

By RONDA VARNESDEEL, Aquinas Sports Information

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  With just 20 games played in the Aquinas College (Mich.) Softball season, the Saints have already surpassed the school's single season team homerun record of 21 set last year. Led by senior Casey Schweitzer (Hopkins) and freshman Amanda Barrons (GR Forest Hills Northern),the Saints (17- 3) have set a  apiece.

The Saints surpassed the record on April 1, 2005 when the Saints belted five home runs in the first game of the Saints' conference double header opener against cross-town rival Cornerstone University (Mich.). Aquinas recorded another home run in the second game to bring the team's total to 24 on the season.

In the first game, the parade of home runs began in the second inning when freshman Kristi Labinski (GR Union) slugged her first homerun of the season to put the Saints up 3-1. Kristen Jager (Grandville) chalked up the second homerun of the game as she slugged a two run homer to put the Saints up 6-1 in the third inning. In the fifth inning, Kathy Williams (Paw Paw) belted her second homerun of the season to put the Saints up 8-2. The procession of homeruns came to an end in the sixth inning when junior McCall Kleinfelt (Grand Ledge) and senior Casey Schweitzer pounded back to back homeruns to help the Saints pick up their first conference win of the year.

In the second game of the double header, a game in which the Saints won 5-2, Casey Schweitzer slugged her second home run of the day bringing the day's team homerun total up to six.