St. Kate's Softball Ranks 4th in MIAC Championships
Both the St. Kate’s Softball team and Track and Field team entered the MIAC Championships this past weekend. The Wheel staff followed the softball team throughout this competition, watching their journey to earning a fourth place standing.
The MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) Championships began on Friday, May 3rd. Only four teams in our Division III conference qualified for this event, St. Kate’s qualifying as the number two seed. The teams who places first overall at the end of this tournament automatically earns a place in the regional championships later this year. St. Kate’s has qualified for the MIAC championships for the past five years, even placing first overall in 2017.
St. Kate’s started Friday’s game competing against the Hamline Pipers on the University of St. Thomas’s soccer field. The Wildcats showed immense enthusiasm and encouragement, as the team cheered loudly and assortment of calls rose from the dugout. While the team spirit was resonant throughout the stands, St. Kate’s still ended the game with a loss. The Hamiline Pipers won with a final score of 7-0.
Saturday was a new day and opportunity for the Wildcats. The St. Kate’s softball team came to the field renewed and ready to take on the St. Olaf Oles. However, at the top of the first inning, the Wildcats faced a change of pace, as pitcher Kathryn Propper took a ball straight to the chin. Propper stayed strong despite her rough injury (like a true Katie does). But after a few more throws, Propper stepped down and subbed in Annabelle Schutte, who pitched the remainder of the game.
Anna Hinderaker scored St. Kate’s first point, as she made a run off of a missed throw to second base, sending fans off their seats in excitement. And while the momentum was high after this, St. Kate’s was unable to score any more runs, and a two and a half hour game finally ended in defeat. The final score was 4-1.
The Wildcats now wait to hear whether the work they have put in this season will be enough to qualify for regionals. A win at regionals will qualify the Wildcats for a spot in nationals.
Ashley Hoffman, a softball assistant, commented on the team spirit after the game saying, “The girls brought teamwork to the field today, absolutely. We all have each other’s backs. We’re always saying ‘I got your six’, meaning ‘I got your back.’ We always love each other, and we go to through this journey together.”
While many members of the team left the dugout on Saturday with tears in their eyes after the defeat, they recognized the hard work that the team put in throughout the season. “We overcame a lot of obstacles as a group,” commented outfielder Amber Montero.
Despite the loss, the St. Kate’s softball team now celebrates the end of an intense and rigorous schedule of practices and games, which began on January 25. Catcher Angela Huepfel remarked that working closely alongside her teammates throughout the season was an enjoyable experience.
“This semester was so much fun competing with my teammates,” she said. “Even though I was hurt [in the beginning of the season], I still enjoyed being around the energy that the team had. I enjoyed every second of it, and I am excited for our future, but I will miss our seniors.”
The team ended the season with an overall record of 26-14. For more information on the specifics of the game as well as the team’s roster and statistics, visit their page on the St. Kate’s athletics website.
