KUTZTOWN, Pa. (February 1, 2012)—It's finally that time of the year, as high hopes and anticipation swarms around the Kutztown University softball team as it opens its 2012 season on Friday, Feb. 3 at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke Tournament. The Golden Bears will face UNC-Pembroke for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

Kutztown has been spending its off season working hard to build upon its successful 2011 campaign. Last season, Kutztown finished with an overall record of 41-16. It was KU's fourth consecutive year winning 40 or more games. Kutztown spent six weeks ranked in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll, with its highest ranking at 11th. Additionally,  KU is made its ninth consecutive appearance and 14th trip overall to the NCAA Division II tournament under head coach Judy Lawes, who is in her 25th year at the helm of the Golden Bears.

“They've been working really hard in the off season with their training,” Lawes said. “We've spent the last few weeks just going over mechanics and our strategies. They've put in a lot of time and their anxious to play.”

KU returns a stacked, veteran roster that includes Daktronics All-American senior third baseman Nicole Henninger (Reading, PA./Muhlenberg) and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East first and second team selections junior shortstop Brianna Knipe (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) and sophomore pitcher Samantha Derr (Lititz, PA/Warwick). In addition, Kutztown's entire infield returns for the 2012 season.

Henninger exploded last season as she produced a .342 batting average that included 51 hits, 49 runs batted in, a .738 slugging percent and a conference leading 16 homeruns. Additionally Henninger was named to the NFCA Division II All-American Third Team, NFCA Division II All-Region First Team, Daktronics All-Atlantic Region First Team, and was the PSAC East Player of the Year. Henninger will spend her senior season at third base and as a designated player.

Knipe was KU's vocal leader last year at shortstop. She batted .314 and tallied 49 hits. Her skills on both offense and defense continue to be a dependable asset for the Golden Bears. Alongside Knipe will be senior Nicole Colineri (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) at second base. Colineri and Knipe stitch up the middle infield with their speed and agility. Colineri added a lot of speed to the top of the lineup in 2011 and will look to do the same this season.

Derr had a prosperous debut season in 2011.  She had a 1.77 earned run average, which was fifth in the PSAC. She struck out 145 batters and recorded 21 wins in 34 appearances for the Golden Bears.  Derr will have plenty of help in the circle this season as junior pitcher Stephanie Pritchard (Parkesburg, PA/Octorara) brings experience to KU's pitching efforts. Freshmen Mary Kociencki (Columbia, N.J./Sparta ), Kiersten Cain (Bristol, PA/Bristol), and Tori Marcavage (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) will also contribute in the circle. All of Kutztown's pitchers bring something different to the plate. Whether is speed, accuracy, spin, or movement, KU's diverse pitching style will definitely be an advantage during the season.

Also returning in the infield is senior first baseman Heather Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham), junior catcher Katie Lynch (Willow Street, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg), sophomore catcher Megan Brown and sophomore Morgan Booth (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) who sees time in both the infield and outfield. Booth led KU in stolen bases last year as she was 21-for-26 in stolen base attempts. Newcomers in the infield include senior Kelly Fitzgerald (Upper Darby, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) and freshmen Courtney Crawley, Danielle Miller (Waynesboro, PA/Waynesboro), and Kelly Strittmatter (Wyckoff, NJ/Indian Hills).

“We have a lot of depth with all the new kids that came in,” Lawes said. “They're all really good and can step in at any time which is always good.”

The outfield is also led by a talented group. Sophomore Jackie Hetzler (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) dazzled in her first season with KU last year. She batted .335 and led the team in hits (55), runs (33), and triples (six). Also returning in the outfield are juniors Maria Isgro (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and Elizabeth Kangas (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) and sophomore Stephanie Curry (Winchester, VA/Millbrook). Isgro also provides a solid bat for KU as she hit .308 with 53 hits last season.

“My goal is to lead this team to the win the East Divison,” Lawes said. “We have a lot of talent on this team that is led by experienced players and I believe our hard work will pay off.”

Kutztown will also face Mt. olive on Sunday, Feb. 5 to conclude the UNC-Pembroke Invitational.