DRIFTON, Pa. (April 25, 2012)—The Kutztown University softball team used the long ball as three different Golden Bears crushed home runs to shutout third-seeded Mercyhurst University, 4-0 in the opening round of the 2012 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships at ASA of PA Jake Kislan Softball Complex, Wednesday afternoon.

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The Golden Bears (44-2 overall) moved to second in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll, earning its highest spot in program history.

Top-seeded Kutztown entered Wednesday's game with mixed emotions. Some Golden Bears were nervous, while others were excited. However, one Golden Bear in particular remained calm in the face of Kutztown's challenge to get by the Lakers (24-24 overall).

After going scoreless for four innings quick innings, Kutztown's offense knew that it had make the most of the remaining innings to keep Mercyhurst out of reach. It was pitcher Samantha Derr (Lititz, PA/Warwick) (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) who broke the silence with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning.

“I wasn't really nervous today,” Derr said. “It felt good to give my team some cushion and after that it became easier to pitch knowing that we had the lead.”

In the fifth inning, Morgan Booth (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) smacked her first homer of the season to lift KU to 3-0.

“I was just trying to make contact,” Booth explained. “I wanted to hit the ball on the ground but I'll take the homer instead. I had no idea that it was going over but as I was running around first base, I was praying that it went over. It feels great to finally make solid contact and help my team out.”

Heather Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) got in on the action in the in sixth inning to belt a solo home run, stretching the lead to 4-0. It was Hannum's fifth homer of the season. Her fourth home run came just four days ago against East Stroudsburg.

“It's an advantage to have different people in the lineup that are able to use the long ball for us,” Hannum said. “Although it took us a while to get on the board we knew that once we scored, we'd continue to keep posting runs.”

Kelly Strittmatter (Wyckoff, NJ/Indian Hills) (Wyckoff, NJ/Indian Hills) was 2-for-3 with a double. Kelly Fitzgerald (Upper Darby, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) (Upper Darby, Pa./Archbishop Pendergast) and Derr finished with two hits and a run. Maria Isgro (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) (Galloway, NJ/ Absegami) also added a hit.

The Golden Bear's defense held the Lakers to three hits. Derr recorded her 26th win and 10th shutout of the season. She finished with a game-high five strikeouts.

“Without my defense, none of this would be possible,” Derr said. “They're able to make great plays and kept runners off the bases.”

“It was great seeing a variety of players hit so well today,” Kutztown University head coach Judy Lawes said. “I hope it gives them more confidence so that we can have a well-rounded offense to put hits together. In out next game, we just have to continue doing all the little things right and be aggressive at the plate.”

Kutztown will face the winner of the Bloomsburg-Gannon game on Thursday, April 26 at 1 p.m.