Cats Open Season With Home Win.

The St. Paul Wildcats kicked off their 2024-25 campaign with a bang Thursday night as they handled the O'Neill Eagles 5-2 at Wildcat Field. St. Paul wasted no time getting the offense going as Alli Dugan would lead things off getting hit on the first pitch of the season for the Cats. Dugan stole 2nd before advancing to 3rd to on a wild pitch to set herself up in scoring position as Charlee Wegner helped her own cause tattooing a shot to Right Field to bring home Dugan for an early 1-0 lead.

O'Neill had their chances to tie the contest in the 4th as Gracie Drueke doubled to lead things off in the frame. Tagging up on the next play Drueke was in scoring position with only one out but the St. Paul defense backed up their pitcher forcing back to back outs to get out of the inning unscathed. The Wildcats capitalized in the 4th and 5th inning adding 2 additional runs apiece to extend their lead to 5-0. O'Neill found a small window and capitlized on some clutch hitting to get themselves back into the contest with 2 runs in the 6th but it was too much to overcome as the Cats locked things down after that to pick up their first victory of the season with the 5-2 victory.

Alli Dugan earned Runza MVP of the Game Honors with solid defensive play behind the plate and finished the day with a 1.000% on base percentage with a triple, a hit by pitch, and a walk and a run scored.

Charlee Wegner(1-0) picks up the win giving up 6 hits, 2 runs both earned, and striking out 11 to start the season.

The Cats head to Milford for their invite this weekend before home games on Monday vs Grand Island Central Catholic and Milford on Thursday.

Both games can be heard live on the KRGI Sports Network as the GICC game will be on 1430 KRGI/105-5 FM and Milford will be on Country 96.

Head Coach Kali Volk caught up with Trevor Bentley after the contest for her thoughts of the 1st victory of season.