ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine University softball team is known for traditions and legacy and this year, a mother-daughter duo from Woodbury, Minnesota were able to share in that together at the annual St. Kate's softball fall alumnae game on September 24.
Denise Boyles (nee O'Connor) put on the first ever St. Kate's softball jersey in the 1980's and her daughter Kaitlín, a junior infielder on the 2023 team made her family proud by putting the same name across on the front of the jersey almost three generations later joing the team in the 2020 season.
"We have played a lot of catch in the back yard over the years," Denise commented, and "I was Kaitlín's catcher when she was a pitcher. My husband and I have enjoyed watching her journey from T-ball to college ball."
As a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and with the conference's academic focus, is not permitted to compete in the Fall non-traditional season. They can, however, play a competition versus their Alumnae base, an event that many look forward to as a cherished tradition.
"I am tickled and proud that I get to play on the same field as my daughter at my alma mater," Denise said as she got emotional.
It meant the world to Kaitlín as well. "It was a full circle moment for me. For a couple weeks prior to the game, we were practicing out on the field so she could get some reps. It was a switch in dynamic because all my life it was my mom hitting me ground balls or throwing with me on my neighborhood fields or our backyard. But, it switched to me hitting fly balls and throwing for my mom on our college field. It made me proud that she wanted to put in the work so she could play with me, and I'm so happy that I get to share those memories with her."
These special moments are cherished by Kaitlín & Denise's fellow teammates as well. Cheers erupted from both dugouts when Denise was up to bat. In Saturday's game, the entire crowd went wild when Denise hit a line drive that was caught by her own daughter in the third inning. Kaitlín commented one of her favorite moments was when "mom was up to bat and all the parents and my teammates started to cheer "Fly the Kite!" which is what they say when I'm up to bat. It was fun to see all my teammates and their parents support my mom, it meant a lot to me."
The alumnae game is an event Coach Powers considers one of the best of the year. "Watching Kaitlín and her mom share the field has been such a special testament to a cornerstone of our foundation and culture: FAMILY. The entire recruiting process was special, and I was thrilled to be able to celebrate Kaitlín commitment back in 2019, making her the first second generation softball player in program history" Powers said.
Kaitlín and her mom get to share one more year as "opponents" in the fall of 2023. "When she graduates in two years, we can play on the same side of the field," Denise said. "How cool will that be? I can't wait!"
While Denise will always be able to say she wore the jersey first, Kaitlín has shown her how much her family has committed to her being able to wear the jersey as well. In her two-seasons, she has a batting average of .336 playing in 48 games. She has recorded 24 runs, 44 hits, 16 doubles plus two home runs and 35 RBI earning her MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention as a sophomore.
The Wildcats begin their official season in February traveling to Mankato for a series of dome games. The home season kicks off on April 5 hosting Bethel at St. Kate's field and you're guaranteed to see the Boyles family in the stands cheering Kaitlín on.
