AUBURN — It was a sport and program that has already meant so much to Kat McKay.

So when the head coaching job for St. Dom’s softball opened up a month ago, it was an opportunity the former Saints star catcher had been waiting for.

“St. Dom’s has such a history with softball,” said McKay. “They’ve always been so competitive. To come back to where I learned my skills and now to give back to these girls, I’m so excited to do that.”

McKay replaces Brian Kay, who stepped down last month after two seasons with the team. Kay will continue coaching the field hockey program but trying to juggle two varsity sports was a challenge.

“I have so much going on between work and everything else,” said Kay. “I maintain all the fields at the high school. I’m still coaching field hockey, but I didn’t have any time off in between any of the seasons.”

Kay took over the program for two years, following a lengthy tenure by Dan Samson. The Saints won 12 games during Kay’s first year and 11 last spring and reached the playoffs, losing in the Western C semifinals, both years.

“I knew it was an interim thing, filling in for Dan,” said Kay. “I’m glad Kat got the job. She’s very qualified. I think she’ll help the program a lot. I think it will be a good move for her. She’s at the school all the time anyway. It will be a good fit for her and for the school.”

McKay, who works in the athletic office, was informed Wednesday that she had gotten the job and has been excited about the news all week.

“I had been in the program with Brian the last couple years,” she said. “When he stepped down, I put my name in and kept my fingers crossed and got it.”

McKay was Miss Maine Softball in 2003 and has been actively involved in coaching the last few years. She coached middle school softball at Poland and was the freshman and JV girls’ basketball coach there. She has assisted Kay at St. Dom’s the last two years and has been the JV girls’ soccer coach at St. Dom’s the last two seasons.

“I’m still nervous taking on this role,” said McKay, who won a state title in 2001 and lost in the state game in 2002. “I’m still a young coach, and I have a lot to learn. I know that. I’m very excited to take the next step and leap because this is a great program, and I hope to keep the integrity of the program going.”

McKay is anxious to get started but has a long winter to wait before softball season begins. She says she’ll use that time to prepare herself and guarantees she’ll be ready and is excited for spring when the first pitch is thrown. The Saints lost three key seniors in Mary Lewis, Kelsey Murphy and Erynne Landry, but the rest of the squad should be back.

“I’m thankful to St. Dom’s for giving me the opportunity especially with being so young, “ she said. “ but my passion for the sport is great, and I just can’t wait to do this.”