PEMBROKE, NC (February 6, 2011)—After several schedule changes due to inclement weather, the Kutztown University women's softball team's wait for its season opener was worth it. The Golden Bears defeated Winston-Salem State University 4-1, and Saint Andrews College, 10-1 at the UNC-Pembroke Invitational Sunday afternoon. (KU vs. WSSU BOXSCORE/ KU VS. ST. ANDREW'S BOXSCORE)
KU wasted no time getting started and showed its eagerness in the first inning against WSSU. Freshman Morgan Booth (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) led off with a walk and used her speed to steal to second base. Junior Nicole Colineri (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) used a sacrifice bunt to move Booth to third, where she would score on an error.
In the bottom of the second inning, sophomore Maria Isgro (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) doubled down the right field line. Isgro scored after advancing to third with help from freshman Samantha Derr (Lititz, PA/Warwick) and Jackie Hetzler (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township).
The Golden Bears ignited again in the fifth inning, after keeping the Rams scoreless. Junior Heather Hannun reached on an error and sophomore Brianna Knipe (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty)'s double to centerfield scored Hannun. Knipe enjoyed running around the bases as a single from senior Krista Tedjeske (Summerhill, PA/Forest Hill) would earn KU another run.
WSSU nibbled at KU's 4-0 led in the top of the sixth inning when Bonika Terry scored after leading the inning off with a hit.
Isgro swung the bat well for the Golden Bears. In her first collegiate appearance she finished with three hits. Knipe finished with two hits and a RBI, and Lynch had two hits against WSSU.
Derr also made the most of her collegiate debut, striking out eight batters, and pitching a no hitter until the fifth inning.
“She pitched extremely well,” Kutztown University head softball coach Judy Lawes said. “She had great command of her pitches and took control of the game.”
The Golden Bears reciprocated their energy in their next game against St. Andrews where they had a slug fest. Freshman Stephanie Graver (Peach Bottom, PA/Solanco) went 3-for-3 and had four RBIs for KU. Also adding to the offensive occasion was Tedjeske, whose bat provided Kutztown with two hits and two RBIs.
By the fourth inning, KU was up 8-0 and added even more breathing space when Knipe and Tedjeske scored in the top of the fifth, pushing the margin to 10-0. St. Andrew's tried to keep the game alive with two outs when Lex Cowger's double to left field scored Ashley Disque, but that wouldn't be enough as KU's defense closed the game out.
In the circle for KU was senior Monica Glomb (Mars, PA/Mars) who faced the adversity of pitching in the cold weather but was successful for getting the win for the Golden Bears.
“We did ok for the first time out,” Lawes said. “We are happy with a lot of things that we've seen. We are in a good place to keep improving.”
Kutztown will complete the UNC-Pembroke Invitational tomorrow as it faces Tusculum at 9 a.m. and UNC-Pembroke at 1 p.m.
