The St. Catherine University softball team ended its season last week with a split against Macalester College and a thrilling 13-12 victory over the Scots in pool play at the new format Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) softball tournament - where the Wildcats also led the league champion University of St. Thomas before falling 6-2. The successful week was in large part to the play of Jenna Brady (Greenfield, Minn.), who also earned a top academic award. For her contributions, she has been named the Wildcat Athlete of the Week.
Brady finished this week with an impressive outing at the plate as she went 8-for-12 with four runs and six RBI. She opened the week with two hits, a walk and an RBI in a tough 11-7 loss to the Scots. She then followed that up with a hit and a run in the game two 6-0 shut out.
In the MIAC tournament, Brady was at her best as she led the Wildcats with a 4-for-4 appearance against the Scots and picked up four RBI and scored three runs, despite cold and rainy condistions. Her seventh inning single also advanced Alyssa Luedtke (Spring Lake Park, Minn.) into scoring position for the Alyssa McKee (Spring Lake Park, Minn.) walk off double.
Against the Tommies, the Wildcats led the MIAC powerhouse schools through fifth inning thanks to an impressive third inning at the plate for the Wildcats. Brady hit an RBI double to bring Luedtke home and gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third.
Not only did Brady have an impressive week on the field, she also was named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District first-team. The honor - which is presented and voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) - recognizes student-athletes who have top athletic and academic performances at their respective institutions. Individuals must maintain at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and play a significant role as a member of his or her team. Brady is one of 12 players named to the District 6 team consisting of schools from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
Brady finished the season with an impressive .372 batting average, 29 hits, 24 runs and 14 RBI. She and the Wildcats end the 2013 campaign with a 16-17 record.
