KU sweeps Mansfield with Graver's game-winning hit

Game 1 Boxscore

Game 2 Boxscore

KUTZTOWN, PA. (April 2, 2011)—Freshman Stephanie Graver (Peach Bottom, PA/Solanco) is probably still floating on cloud nine after her game-winning hit in the 10th inning helped the Kutztown University softball team to a 1-0 victory over Mansfield University, Saturday afternoon at North Campus Field. KU defeated the Mounties in the second game, 5-2.

The Golden Bears (29-6 overall) found itself in a tight game with MU (7-10 overall) as the innings went on. The first game featured just eight hits, six belonging to KU. Their patience finally paid off in the 10th inning when Kutztown University head coach Judy Lawes made a strategic decision. Graver hadn't been in the game all day, but was called upon to pinch hit for KU.

“I put Steph in for her power, she's a great contact hitter,” Lawes said. “Even when she has two strikes on her, she's capable of fighting off bad pitches. She tends to hit the middle of the ball and get good shots for us.”
With one out and Morgan Booth (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) on third, Graver found her pitch and singled to left field.

“I like being stuck in these situations,” Graver said. “I knew I had to get a hit and wanted to win the game. I'm kind of in a slump right now and I needed a hit. I've been practicing all week on my patience so while I was in the batter's box I waited on my pitch. I needed to relax and have fun because I've been a little tense lately.”

Graver was so composed that when she reached first, she didn't even realize that she had the game-winning hit.

“I was so focused on hitting that I didn't know the game was over,” Graver said. “When I reached first base Coach Don smiled and said I'd won the game. I'd totally forgotten because I was in the zone.”
Graver has played in 22 of 35 games this season. She is hitting .302 and has 16 hits. Graver has also seen some time at third base.

“She's very well defensive wise,” Lawes said. “She is working hard at practice to improve her hitting. She has very quick hands and a great bat. She just has to believe in herself and she can do it. She has a ton of potential.”

Derr, Brianna Knipe (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty), Maria Isgro (Galloway, NJ/Absegami), Heather Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham), and Morgan Booth (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) each had a hit against the Mounties.

Freshman Samantha Derr (Lititz, PA/Warwick) went the distance and pitched a no-hitter until the seventh inning. Derr recorded the win for Kutztown and struck out nine batters.

“Sam pitched unbelievable,” Lawes said “She's just a gamer, she's competitive, and she stays composed.”

In the second game, Jackie Hetzler (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) dominated the bases and was 3-for-3 with a RBI and one run. Her two doubles and one single all sailed to centerfield. Nicole Henninger (Reading, PA./Muhlenberg) was clutch with KU's big bat. Henninger was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored.

Monica Glomb (Mars, PA/Mars) had three strikeouts in the second game.

“Monica also did a great job of staying calm and composed,” Lawes said. “Our pitchers are really doing a great job and offensively we just have to help them out a little more.”

The Golden Bears travel to West Chester University, Sunday April 3 for a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division game beginning at 1 p.m.

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