ST. PAUL, Minn. The St. Catherine University softball team swept Carleton College in a Saturday MIAC doubleheader, holding off a late rally in game one before earning a dramatic extra-inning win in game two to extend its strong start to conference play. St. Kate's is now 15-7 overall with a MIAC record of 4-0.

Game 1: St. Catherine 3, Carleton 2
The Wildcats struck early and relied on a strong performance in the circle from Alexa Carlstrom to secure a 3-2 win in the opener.

Helen McKinnon set the tone in the bottom of the first with a leadoff double, later scoring on a sacrifice fly from Faith Bonse to give St. Kate's a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats added what proved to be the difference in the fourth inning. Grace Swigart singled to start the rally, and after Annie Cook and Sam Aronson loaded the bases, Carlstrom delivered a two-run single to center to make it 3-0.

Carlstrom was in control throughout, tossing a complete game while allowing just three hits and striking out four. Carleton broke through in the sixth on a solo home run from Natasha Paez and added another run in the seventh on an RBI double from Gloria Hronek, but Carlstrom stranded the tying run at third to seal the win.

St. Catherine totaled nine hits in the game. Bonse went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI, Swigart and Aronson each collected two hits, and McKinnon doubled, scored, and stole a base.

Game 2: St. Catherine 7, Carleton 6 (9 innings)
The Wildcats completed the sweep with a thrilling 7-6 victory in nine innings in the nightcap.

St. Kate's jumped ahead early with two runs in the first inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Bonse. The Wildcats continued to build their lead, adding runs in the fourth and seventh innings to take a 4-1 advantage.

Carleton battled back, scoring three runs in the sixth to tie the game before taking a 6-5 lead with two runs in the eighth.

St. Catherine answered immediately in the bottom half. With runners on, Lexi Drasher delivered a clutch two-RBI pinch-hit single to give to tie the game 6-6. A forced ninth inning resulted in the Wildcats holding off the Knights before Larson doubles to drive in McKinnon for the 7-6 win. 

Morgan Wilson closed out the game in relief, tossing three innings and limiting Carleton's chances down the stretch to secure the win.

The Wildcats finished with 12 hits in game two. Larson led the offense, going 3-for-5 with a home run, double, two RBI, and a stolen base. Bonse added another extra-base hit and an RBI, while McKinnon scored twice at the top of the lineup.

The Wildcats face Bethel University on Sunday, April 12 in Arden Hills with a MIAC doubleheader scheduled for 1 pm.