KUTZTOWN, Pa. (April 17, 2012)—Kelly Strittmatter (Wyckoff, NJ/Indian Hills)  (Wyckoff, NJ/ Indian Hills) of the Kutztown University softball team didn't expect her freshman season to include a 32-game winning streak, a 12-0 record in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division, or most importantly being on a team ranked fourth in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 Poll, which is the highest spot in program history.

Kutztown will close out the regular season this weekend as they head to Shippensburg University on Friday, April 20 for a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m. On Saturday, April 21 KU will host East Stroudsburg University for Senior Day. The doubleheader is set to start at 1 p.m. on North Campus Field.

The Golden Bears have produced an overall record of 40-1, making them the current national leader in NCAA Division II Statistics in win-loss percentage (0.976).  Strittmatter never imagined being such an integral part of KU's success. Strittmatter barely stands five feet, three inches but despite her tiny stature, she carries big responsibilities for the Golden Bears.

Strittmatter has played in every game this season and started in 40. She uses her flexibility to split her playing time between second and third base. Primarily a second baseman, Strittmatter was a little hesitant about playing third base but her determination to contribute to Kutztown's goals for the season quickly overshadowed her own.

“I've actually never played third,” Strittmatter said. “I was extremely nervous because it's so much closer than second base where you can play deep. It's a little different but it's fun to learn something new.”

Although Strittmatter carries the composure of an upperclassman, she continually seeks the guidance of her teammates, especially from seniors Nicole Colineri (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) (Scotch Plains, NJ/ Scotch Plains-Fanwood), Heather Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) (Horsham, Pa./ Hatboro-Horsham), and Kelly Fitzgerald (Upper Darby, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) (Upper Darby, Pa./ Archbishop Pendergast), who will be honored on Saturday. Strittmatter has an unusual connection to all three seniors as she splits time with Colineri at second, plays beside Hannum who is the first baseman, and switches to third base when Fitzgerald is behind the plate catching.

“I always ask Nicole questions about second base,” Strittmatter explained. “Heather is right beside me so I always listen to them when they give me advice because they're usually right since they've been here for so long.”

Strittmatter is an all-around player, who is valuable to KU's defense which is ranked sixth in the nation in fielding percentage (0.975) and its compelling offense that it batting .334, which is ranked 18th. She is hitting .331 with 40 hits, 30 runs, and 12 RBIs.  She is one of nine Golden Bears batting over the .300 mark.

“This year has been exciting,” Strittmater said. “This experience has been welcoming and I feel so comfortable with my team. It's always a good time with them every game we play. We're having a great season and we hope to keep doing well…we couldn't ask for anything more.”