MIAC Release

ST. PAUL, MINN. – The St. Catherine University softball team is used to exceeding expectations. In the past two seasons alone, the Wildcats have qualified for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and NCAA Tournaments for the first times in program history. They also won the MIAC Playoff Title in 2017 and made it all the way to the NCAA DIII Women's College World Series that same season.

However, there's still one thing missing from St. Kate's resume: a MIAC Regular Season Title. According to the conference softball coaches, the Wildcats will be able to check that off their to-do list this season, as St. Kate's was projected to finish at the top of the conference in the Preseason Coaches Poll released late Tuesday afternoon. 

The Wildcats edged out conference rival St. Thomas for the top spot, as they received 119 votes to the Tommies 113. St. Kate's also returns eight of its nine starters from the 2017 season in which the team made its NCAA Women's College World Series appearnace. 

The Wildcats will open their season this weekend at the RCTC Dome Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota. St. Kate's will play UW-Stout in the season opener at 11 a.m. on Saturday before taking on Nebraska Wesleyan at 1 p.m. the same day. The Wildcats will play UW-Eau Claire (11 a.m.) and Carroll (3 p.m.) on Sunday.

Meet the 2018 Wildcats (in 280 characters or less):

2 – Rae Beaner (Fy.; Pitcher; Crystal, Minn. / Robbinsdale-Cooper)

3x All-Conference player and team MVP. Earned Academic state honors in 2017.

3 – Trish Sherman (Jr.; Outfield; Roseville, Minn. / Roseville)

Junior transfer from Iowa Western. 2x Academic All-Region player at Iowa Western. Two-year captain, All-Conference, Team MVP and Defensive Player of the Year during career at Roseville.

4 – Megan Miller (Jr.; Outfield; Green Isle, Minn. / Norwood Young America)

Junior outfielder. Missed majority of 2017 due to injury. Made 21 starts in right field and committed zero errors.

5 – Ashley Hoffman (Jr.; Infield; New Prague, Minn. / New Prague)

Transfer from Gustavus. Four year-letter winner and two-year captain during high school career at New Prague. Led team to state tournament in 2014.

7 – Krista Flugstad (Sr.; Pitcher; Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson)

2017 Second Team All-America, First Team All-Region, 3x All-MIAC. Posted 20-4 record during regular season in 2017, was 11-1 vs. MIAC opponents. Broke school record for single-season wins, career wins (62), single-season ERA (1.08) and career strikeouts (458) as a junior.

8 – Maddie Greer (So.; Pitcher; Oakdale, Minn. / North St. Paul)

As a first year, appeared in 17 games and made 13 starts as a pitcher. Posted a 4-3 record and held opponents to a .253 batting average. No-hit Bethel through three innings in a 12-0 win.

9 – Kathryn Proper (Fy.; Pitcher; St. Paul, Minn. / Como Park)

First year pitcher from Como Park. 3x All-Conference, 2x All-Section honoree. Third Team All-Metro, Second Team All-State. Broke school records for single-season and career strikeouts and career innings pitched.

10 – Kailee Berquam (Sr.; Pitcher; Kenyon, Minn. / Kenyon-Wanamingo)

Senior pitcher. Appeared in 22 games and posted 4-3 record in 2017. Pitched best game of her career vs. St. Thomas in April. Gave up just two runs and seven hits in six innings of work.

11 – Sam Skwarek (So.; Outfield; St. Anthony, Minn. / St. Anthony)

Appeared in 37 games as a baserunner in 2017. Scored 14 total runs and was 4-6 in stolen base attempts. Also a member of St. Kate's basketball team.

13 – Hannah Johnson (Jr.; Outfield; Milaca, Minn. / Milaca)

Junior pitcher. Appeared in 17 games with nine starts and earned her first career win in a 19-3 win over UW-River Falls in early march.

14 – Jess Pavlish (Fy.; Infield; Delano, Minn. / Delano)

One of two first base recruits for the Wildcats. Lettered in softball and basketball during career at Delano.

15 – Ashley Sis (Sr.; Infield; Brooklyn Park, Minn. / Brooklyn Park)

Senior infielder. 2016 All-MIAC honoree. Youngest player in program history to reach 100 career hit mark. Made 52 starts at first base in 2017, posted .282 BA with 40 hits. Earned Academic All-MIAC and NFCA All-Scholar honors.

17 – Alyssa Wicks (Fy.; Infield; Blaine, Minn. / Anoka)

Three state appearances with Anoka (2014, 2015, 2017). Class AAAA runner up in 2017.  2x All-Conference honoree, Second Team All-Metro, All-State Honorable Mention. Valedictorian, AAA State Finalist, Athena Award winner.

18 – Jenna George (Jr.; Infield; Ellswroth, Wis. / Ellsworth)

2017 First Team All-America, First Team All-Region, All-MIAC, and MIAC Player-of-the-Year. NFCA DIII Player-of-the-Year finalist. 3x MIAC Athlete-of-the-Week. Led both St. Kate's and the MIAC in slugging percentage (.851), on base percentage, RBI (50), and home runs (10) in 2017.

20 – Amber Montero (So.; Outfield; Circle Pines, Minn. / Centennial)

2017 All-MIAC. MVP of Decorah Regional. Started 52 games as a first year, all in center field. Led the team in doubles (12) and all MIAC first years in home runs (6) and doubles (12). Had a perfect 1.000 field percentage during the regular season.

21 – Anna Hinderaker (Jr.; Outfield; Rosemount, Minn. / Rosemount)

2017 All-MIAC, MIAC All-Sportsmanship Team. 2017 Decorah All-Regional team. As leadoff hitter, compiled a .391 BA, 54 hits and a team-leading 41 runs. Originally broke school record for single-season walks in 2017.

22 – Autumn Mortenson (So.; Catcher; Cottage Grove, Minn. / Park)

Sophomore catcher. Appeared in 12 games with two starts for St. Kate's. Helped guide pitchers to a 38-14 record in 2017.

23 – Gabby Nordman (So.; Outfield; Cloquet, Minn. / Denfield)

Sophomore outfielder returning for second season. Appeared in 45 games, primarily as a base runner and scored 19 runs.

25 – Bailee Sillman (Fy.; Infield; Chippewa Falls, Wis. / Chippewa Falls)

One of two Wisconsinites on the team. Second basemen from Chippewa Falls, Wis. 2017 First Team All-District Player and Senior All-Star Game Participant. Also member of the Wildcat basketball team.

27 – Sammie Galvez (Jr.; Catcher; Gilbert, Ariz. / Williams Field)

2017 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, MIAC All-Tournament team. Played and started all 52 games at catcher. Guided St. Kate's pitchers to 38-14 record. Ended the season with a .306 batting average with 44 hits.

28 – Emily Saurer (Fy.; Outfield; Victoria, Minn. / Chanhassen)

2016 State Champion with Chanhassen. Three state tourney appearances (2015, 2016, 2017). Earned All-State, All-Conference and Academic All-Conference recognition.

30 – Bethany Del Real (Jr.; Infield; Los Angeles, Calif. / John Marshall)

Returning junior. Missed the 2017 season. As a sophomore in 2016, Del Real appeared in eight games as a first baseman and posted a .300 batting average.

46 – Claire Woebke (Sr.; Infield; Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson)

Senior second basement. Led the nation in sacrifice hits (31) as a junior in 2017. Broke St. Kate's school record for single-season sacrifice hits (27) and career walks (47). On pace to break school record for games played.

47 – Kylie Macziewski (Sr.; Infield; Bloomington, Minn. / Jefferson)

2017 Second Team All-Region, All-MIAC, CoSIDA Academic All-District. NFCA DIII Athlete-of-the-Week, MIAC AOW. Led the MIAC in runs (27) and hits (33), was second in BA vs. MIAC opponents (.458). Committed just seven errors at shortstop during regular/postseason.

54 – Jianna Lemaire (Fy.; Outfield; New Brighton, Minn. / Irondale)

2x Defensive MVP, Rookie-of-the-Year. Earned All-Conference honorable mention honors during career at Irondale.

77 – Mikayla Grant (Fy.; Infield; Mantorville, Minn. / Kasson-Mantorville)

2014 and 2015 State Champion with Kasson-Mantorville. First Team All-State & All-Conference infielder during career with KoMets.

Head Coach: Colleen Powers

2x MIAC Coach-of-the-Year (2016, 2017). NFCA Regional Coaching Staff-of-the-Year honor (2017). Youngest coach in St. Kate's history to reach 100 career wins. Led the Wildcats to an NCAA Championship Series appearance in 2017 and their best record in program history (38-14).