ST. JOSEPH, Minn. -- The St. Catherine University softball team dropped a 5-2 decision to Saint Benedict on Saturday in the opening game of the MIAC Playoffs. The Wildcats finish the season 24-18 overall with the setback.
The Bennies jumped out early with one run in the first inning before adding three more in the second to take a 4-0 lead. St. Kate's settled in defensively from there, holding Saint Benedict scoreless through the third, fourth and fifth innings while keeping the game within reach.
The Wildcats broke through in the sixth inning, using productive at-bats to plate two runs. Annie Cook came around to score on a sacrifice fly from
Grace Swigart, and
Helen McKinnon followed with St. Kate's second run of the game on a sacrifice fly from
Mayci Larson to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Saint Benedict added one run in the bottom of the sixth, and the Wildcats were unable to complete the late comeback in the seventh.
Faith Bonse led St. Catherine at the plate, going 2 for 3, while Cook and
Maren Ceynowa each added a hit. G. Swigart and Larson each recorded an RBI for the Wildcats.
In the circle,
Alexa Carlstrom got the start and went five innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits.
Taylor Graf worked the final inning in relief and struck out two.
