ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The St. Catherine softball team celebrated Senior Day with a dominant doubleheader sweep over Hamline, earning a 13–5 run-rule victory in game one followed by a 9–0 shutout in game two. With the wins, the Wildcats capped off an impressive day at home, clinching a MIAC playoff berth as the No. 5 seed. St. Kate's closes out the regular season at 23-17, the most wins the program has earned since 2019.
GAME ONE – St. Catherine 13, Hamline 5 (5 innings)
The Wildcats opened the day with an offensive surge, scoring 13 runs on nine hits in a five-inning victory.
Grace Swigart delivered one of the biggest moments of the game with a three-run home run, finishing with three RBI to lead the Wildcats. Faith Bonse added another strong showing, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, continuing to produce in key situations.
Alexa Carlstrom had a huge all-around game, going 2-for-3 with three RBI while also contributing in the circle. Sam Aronson came through at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and scoring twice in her Senior Day performance.
Kylee Kohout and Maren Ceynowa each added hits, with Ceynowa also drawing a walk to help keep innings alive. Helen McKinnon reached base and scored, while Mayci Larson created pressure with her speed, scoring twice. Natalee Sigfrids and Layla Nguyen each crossed the plate to round out the scoring effort.
In the circle, the Wildcats pieced together five innings, with Carlstrom and the pitching staff limiting damage while the offense built a comfortable lead.
St. Catherine capitalized throughout the game, especially with runners on base, to secure the run-rule win.
GAME TWO – St. Catherine 9, Hamline 0 (5 innings)
St. Catherine completed the sweep with a dominant 9–0 shutout in game two, powered by a nine-run fourth inning and a complete-game effort from Taylor Graf.
Graf was outstanding in the circle, throwing five scoreless innings while allowing just three hits, striking out three, and walking none. The Wildcats' defense backed her up throughout, helping keep Hamline off the board.
Offensively, Helen McKinnon helped spark the big fourth inning, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Grace Swigart added an RBI double, while Faith Bonse drove in two runs with a double of her own.
Kylee Kohout also delivered a two-run double, Sam Aronson singled in two runs, and Annie Cook added a double and scored. Alexa Carlstrom drove in a run, and Mayci Larson scored after reaching base with a walk.
The Wildcats did all of their damage in the fourth, scoring nine runs on seven hits to put the game away and finish Senior Day with a sweep.
The Wildcats earned the No. 5 seed in their second consecutive trip to the postseason and tenth appearance in program history. They will travel to St. Peter on Thursday, May 4 to face No. 4 seed Gustavus Adolphus College at 3:30 pm for a single elimination game.
