ROCHESTER, MINN. -  After a long winter, the St. Catherine University softball team was ready to take the field in their first games of 2016 Saturday. While the team had to settle for starting their season inside at the Rochester Community Technical College Dome in Rochester, Minnesota, the Wildcats proved they will be a formidable force throughout the season. Sophomore pitchers Krista Flugstad (Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson) and Megan Lindenfelser (Nowthen, Minn. / Anoka) did not allow a single run in a combined 12 innings of work, helping St. Kate's start the season with two wins over University of Wisconsin River-Falls and the University of Dubuque.

The Wildcats opened their 2016 season against the UW-River Falls Falcons, who finished last season as one of the top teams in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). However, River Falls was no match for Flugstad, who was nearly flawless. The sophomore ace took a no hitter deep into the game before surrendering the one and only Falcon hit in the bottom of the fourth. Flugstad struck out a total of eight batters while only giving up four walks to earn the five inning shutout victory.

Flugstad also received plenty of help from her offense. After being held scoreless through the first two innings, the Wildcats finally broke through in the top of the third. Shortstop Robyn Rohr (Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville North) started the inning with a leadoff single, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by fellow middle infielder Claire Woebke (Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson). Rohr didn't stay at second for long though. Lindenfelser hit a bomb over the center fielder's head, resulting in a ground rule double and the first Wildcat run of the game. Later in the inning, Lindenfelser scored on a pass ball, giving St. Kate's a Flugstad a 2-0 lead with four innings left to play.

Of course, the Wildcats and head coach Colleen Powers weren't satisfied with just two runs. St. Kate's scored at least one run in the next three consecutive innings and scored four in the decisive fifth inning to earn the 8-0 win. Rohr led St. Kate's batters in game one, going 2-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while first year Anna Hinderaker (Rosemount, Minn. / Rosemount) was 1-2 with two RBI in the first collegiate game of her career. 

After a brief 30 minute break, the Wildcats were back on the field for their second game of the day, this time against the University of Dubuque. However, the game against the Spartans did not start the way the game against River Falls ended. St. Kate's and starting pitcher Lindenfelser found themselves in a jam early, as Dubuque loaded the bases with just one out in the top of the first. However, Lindenfelser pitched two consecutive strikeouts to get out of the jam unscathed and keep the Wildcats scoreless inning streak alive through the first two games of the season.The sophomore only gave up five hits in seven innings of work, earning her first win of 2016. She also struck out 10 Dubuque batters, and five of those strikeouts came with runners in scoring position.

Ashley Sis (Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Osseo) was the top hitter for the Wildcats in game two, going 3-4 with two monster doubles and an RBI. Sis also scored a big run in the bottom of the third to help swing the momentum back in St. Kate's direction and cemented the 5-0 victory.

After two big wins on opening day, the Wildcats return to the dome tomorrow for two games against nonconference opponents. St. Kate's will take on Buena Vista University at 2:30 p.m. and then finish their trip with Rochester with a 4:30 p.m. game against Luther.