SALISBURY, N.C. (February 25, 2012)—The Kutztown University softball team won all three games at the Catawba Tournament hosted by Catawba College, on Saturday evening.

The Golden Bears (7-0 overall) started off the day by defeating Fairmont State University 9-0 to record its second consecutive shutout. KU also defeated Wingate University 2-1, and Wayne State University 6-1.

Kutztown was led by senior Kelly Fitzgerald (Upper Darby, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) (Upper Darby, Pa./ Archbishop Prendergast) who was 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs. Fitzgerald has been solid on offense for the Golden Bears and is adjusting well in her first year in the maroon and gold.

Senior Katie Lynch (Willow Street, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) (Willow Street, Pa./ Lampeter-Strasburg) finished with one hit along with a pair of runs and RBIs. Senior Heather Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) (Horsham, Pa./ Hatboro-Horsham) also added a hit with two RBIs.

As a team, KU finished with nine runs off nine hits. Fairmont State finished with four hits and left seven runners on base.

Freshman pitcher Mary Kociencki (Columbia, N.J./Sparta ) (Columbia, NJ/ Sparta) recorded the win for the Golden Bears. Pitcher Chelsea Cobb took the loss for Fairmont St.

In its second game of the day, Kutztown rallied off two outs in the top of the seventh inning to slide past Wingate. Senior Nicole Colineri (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) (Scotch Plains, NJ/ Scotch Plains-Fanwood) drew a walk and sophomore Jackie Hetzler (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) (Turnersville, NJ/ Washington Township) singled to move Colineri to third. Kelly Strimatter (Wyckoff, NJ/ Indian Hills) reached on an error to score Coliner, putting KU up 2-1.

KU got on top in the fourth inning after Hannum led off with a double and then stole third. Junior Maria Isgro (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) (Galloway, NJ/ Absegami) used a sac fly to score Hannum, giving KU the 1-0 lead. Wingate answered and tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth.

Sophomore pitcher Samantha Derr (Lititz, PA/Warwick) (Lititz, Pa./ Warwick) recorded the win for KU. Derr went all seven innings and allowed just three hits and one run. Derr also recorded three strikeouts. M. Paul took the loss for Wingate.

Against Wayne State, KU tallied six runs off six hits. Isgro came up big for the Golden Bears and was 2-for-3 with a double and homer. Derr recorded the win against Wayne State. Derr allowed one run off four hits. Wayne State got its only run of the game from a home run from S. Freeman in the top of the second inning.

“Our pitching and defensive play has been great this weekend,” Kutztown University head coach Judy Lawes said. “We have worked hard on our defense and you can see the benefits of that hard work. “

The Golden Bears are set to play Glenville State University at 1 p.m.