SALISBURY, N.C. (February 26, 2012)— The Kutztown University softball team capped off the Catawba Tournament with a 16-4 win over Glenville State College on Sunday evening.

The Golden Bears improved to 8-0 overall and went 5-0 over the weekend.

Kutztown's offense has gotten off to a remarkable start and scored 37 runs during the Catawba Tournament. Its defense which has also been impeccable only allowed six runs in the two day tournament.

The Golden Bears used 18 hits to corral the Pioneers who finished with four.

KU scored two runs in the first inning and tabbed three in the second. The third inning was when the Golden Bears really unleashed its bats and scored five runs. Seniors Kelly Fitzgerald (Upper Darby, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) and Heather Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) led off with singles and senior Katie Lynch (Willow Street, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) used a double to score Fitzgerald. With runners on second and third, junior Maria Isgro (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) reached on a fielder's choice but Hannum was called out at the plate after attempting to score. With runners again in scoring position, junior Brianna Knipe (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) singled to score Lynch and Isgro. Sophomore Morgan Booth (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) got her hands on a double and recorded a RBI. Booth advanced to third off a ground out and scored off a Jackie Hetzler (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) single.

Kutztown went on to score three runs in the fourth and fifth inning.

Fitzgerald led the Golden Bears offensively as she was 3-for-3 with a home run, double and single. Fitzgerald also picked up three RBIs. Knipe was also 3-for-3 with a single, double, and triple to record three RBIs. Freshman Tori Marcavage (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley) pinch hit for KU and belted a three-run homer in the top of the fifth to record her first career homerun.

Freshman pitcher Kiersten Cain (Bristol, PA/Bristol) recorded the win for Kutztown and had six strikeouts. M. Lesser took the loss for Glenville State.

“This was a great trip and it was good to get five wins,” Kutztown University head coach Judy Lawes said. “It was a good opportunity to face some regional competition. Our defense has been spectacular and our offense is improving every game which is a product of practice. We're looking forward to our spring break games and will take this next week to prepare for that.”

Kutztown will gear up on Friday, March 8, when it heads to Clermont, Florida for ten games over five days during Spring Break.