The St. Kate's softball team split their doubleheader with St. Ben's Thursday afternoon. The Blazers took game one 4-1 and the Wildcats rallied in the bottom of the 7th inning to take game two 5-4.
Despite solid pitching by Kayla Bergerson, game one did not go the Wildcats' way as costly errors turned into St. Ben's runs. St. Kate's had a chance to take an early lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Cassie Rooney doubled to left, followed by Jenna Clark who singled and advanced to second on the throw to the infield. Kelsey Luedtke then walked to load the bases with one out. But the Blazers were able to get the next two batters out to keep the game scoreless.
The Wildcats recorded a run in the bottom of the 7th inning when Katie Allen reached on a single to right field and was eventually brought home by a sacrifice fly by Beth Freier. But the comeback was stopped there as St. Ben's was able to get the final out of the game.
St. Kate's took an early lead in game two, taking a 1-0 lead after Katie Allen singled to score Kelsey Luedtke, who had stole second on the previous play.
The Blazers tied the score in the top of the 4th inning, but the Wildcats took the lead back in the bottom of the 4th. After Allen walked, Ann Schmitz homered to left field to bring the score to 3-1. The next batter, Freier, singled to right, followed by a double by Clark, which widened the Wildcat lead to 4-1.
St. Ben's scored 3 runs the next inning and the teams took a 4-4 tie into the 7th inning. After St. Kate's played solid defense in the top of the inning, Regan Kreichbaum kick-started the offense with a single to center field. Allen then sacrificed bunted Kreichbaum over second base. Bergerson knocked in the winning run with a single to center field, giving the Wildcats a 5-4 advantage and their second MIAC win of the season.
Freier went 3 of 3 with 1 run in game two; Schmitz had 1 hit, 1 run, and 2 RBI. Luedtke and Allen each had a pair of hits.
The Wildcats play a doubleheader at St. Thomas on Saturday, April 17th, at 1:00 p.m. They return home on Tuesday, April 20th to host St.Olaf at 4:00 p.m.
Box Score G1
Box Score G2
