OKALHOMA CITY, OK – The St. Catherine University softball team was ready for its debut in the NCAA Division III Softball Championship Series. Unfortunately, the Wildcats hit a bit of a road bump Thursday afternoon, as they lost to the Great Lakes Super Regional Championship Illinois Wesleyan 7-0 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Despite having the first base runner of the game, St. Kate's found itself in a 2-0 hole after the first hit, as Illinois Wesleyan managed to get four hits off junior ace Krista Flugstad (Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson) in the bottom of the first. Still, the Wildcats were confident they'd be able to complete the comeback and take game one, as they already put together multiple quality at bats in the top of the first. Amber Montero (Circle Pines, Minn. / Centennial) carded the first hit of the game with a grounder up the middle before Jenna George (Ellsworth, Wis. / Ellsworth) was robbed of a base hit, thanks to outstanding defensive plays by the Titans.

However, things took a bit of a turn for the worse in the second inning, as St. Kate's committed three very uncharacteristic errors in the field and fell into a 5-0 deficit as three more Illinois Wesleyan runs crossed the plate. The Titans then extended their lead to 7-0 in the third, with two more runs off three hits.

After the first three innings, Flugstad and the Wildcat defense settled in nicely, as they did not allow another run to cross the plate. Unfortunately, St. Kate's offense was unable to score on Mackenzie Marquis. The Wildcats did manage to get four more hits off Marquis, as Anna Hinderaker (Rosemount, Minn. / Rosemount), Brittney Frenette (Columbia Heights, Minn. / Irondale), George and Flugstad all recorded hits during the game. Unfortunately, St. Kate's was never able to bring those base runners home, as Marquis shut down every threat the Wildcats put together.

St. Kate's showed its resiliency in the top of the seventh. Despite being down 7-0, the Wildcats loaded the bases, thanks to hits from George and Flugstad and a walk from first baseman Ashley Sis (Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Osseo). It looked like the Wildcats had a chance to score when Frenette made solid contact and slapped the ball to the left side. Unfortunately, the Titan shortstop was there to make the play, ending both St. Kate's threat and the game, resulting in the final 7-0 score.

Flugstad suffered just her sixth loss of the season Thursday afternoon, as she gave up four earned runs in seven innings of work. Hinderaker, Montero, George and Frenette all recorded hits for the Wildcats and went 1-3 at the plate.