MELBOURNE, Fla. -- The St. Catherine University softball team added two more wins to their time in Florida defeating Rutgers University-Newark 14-1 before cruising past Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 7-1. The Wildcats return to Minnesota with a 6-2 record to improve to 11-5 overall.
GAME ONE | St. Catherine 14, Rutgers Newark 1 (5 innings)
The Wildcats scored twice in the first, added another in the fourth, then turned the game into a rout in the fifth. St. Catherine finished with 14 runs on seven hits, drew 12 walks, and took advantage of three Rutgers-Newark errors.
Helen McKinnon led the way with a huge day at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. Her grand slam to center in the fifth inning gave the Wildcats full control and highlighted the decisive frame.
Annie Cook added a double and two RBI, while Faith Bonse drove in two runs. Layla Nguyen tripled and scored, Kylee Kohout had a hit, scored twice, and drove in one, and Maren Ceyonwa reached base four times with a hit and three walks. Sam Aronson also reached three times via walk and scored once.
The Wildcats showed patience throughout the game, forcing Rutgers-Newark pitchers into trouble all morning. Shylah Brogan drove in a run after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Kohout added an RBI walk, and Cook delivered a two-run double as the fifth inning kept rolling.
In the circle, Hannah Bernier got the start and worked three innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three. Alexa Carlstrom came on in relief and helped stop a Rutgers-Newark threat in the fourth, including a key double play. Elizabeth Van Lith closed things out with a scoreless fifth.
Defensively, St. Catherine turned three double plays in a strong all-around effort. Kohout was involved in all three at first base, while Cook and McKinnon helped anchor the infield.
GAME TWO | St. Catherine 7, MCLA 1
The Wildcats wasted no time getting on the board. McKinnon opened the game with a single and later scored when MCLA committed an outfield error. Grace Swigart also crossed the plate on the play, giving St. Catherine an early lead.
Chance Colbert followed with an RBI single to center field, and Kylee Kohout added another RBI single to left to cap a four-run inning and put the Wildcats firmly in control.
St. Catherine added insurance in the sixth inning. Annie Cook delivered a two-run double to extend the lead, and Annika Reid added an RBI double later in the inning to make it 7–1.
Cook and Kohout each recorded two hits in the game to lead the Wildcats offensively. Cook finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and a double, while Kohout went 2-for-2 with an RBI. Colbert also had a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.
In the circle, St. Catherine used a three-pitcher effort to limit MCLA to one run on seven hits. Sarah Christy started the game and struck out six over two scoreless innings. Morgan Wilson earned the win in relief, allowing just one unearned run while striking out five. Taylor Graf closed the game with two shutout innings, striking out three.
Defensively, the Wildcats were solid behind the pitching staff, with Sam Aronson recording 14 putouts behind the plate and Kohout adding three at first base.
St. Catherine finished with eight hits in the game while holding MCLA scoreless in six of the seven innings.
St. Kate's will return to play on Sunday, March 29 at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire before opening the MIAC schedule at Saint Mary's April 1.
