KUTZTOWN, Pa. (April 5, 2012)—Sophomore pitcher Samantha Derr (Lititz, PA/Warwick) (Lititz, Pa/Warwick) stands tall on the mound with a strong defense behind her. As the Golden Bears top pitcher, Derr came in with humble thoughts about her playing time, moving up to one of the top leaders KU has to offer.

The Golden Bears (32-1 overall) are ranked fifth in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll, which is the highest mark in program history. KU is also clinching a 24-game winning streak.

Playing in three Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) games this week, Derr knows not to take these games lightly. Although KU is currently leading the PSAC, it practices hard so it can stay on top.

“This week is definitely going to be hard,” Derr said. “Every team, Mercyhurst, East Stroudsburg, and Millersville are all really good teams. I feel like we're kind of on a roll right now. Everything's working for us, I feel pretty good right now.”

KU is ranked ninth in fielding percentage (0.974) in the NCAA Division II Statistics, making it easier for Derr to know whose backing her up on the field. With confidence in her teammates, Derr makes it easy for the Golden Bears to be congratulated as a team for their success.

“We work on our defense everyday but honestly, it's so easy for me to pitch because I have an amazing defense behind me.” Derr said. “It's so much easier to just be able to throw the ball and know that anybody on our team is capable of making plays.”

As a pitcher, Derr is ranked second in NCAA Division II Statistics in earned run average (0.47) and has received three PSAC East Pitcher of the week awards.

“I didn't come into Kutztown and see myself landing the spot that I'm in now,” Derr said. “I don't throw really hard so I figured I would get by. But I didn't think I was going to have the success that I have now.”

In the circle, Derr has walked only nine batters in her 20 appearances through 105.1 innings pitched. With a leading ERA, Derr has won 15 games for KU with eight shutouts and 49 strikeouts to prove it.

“I've always been really competitive my entire life, I hate losing,” Derr said. “Basically when I start playing, I don't plan on losing. When I'm on the mound I just don't want to lose.”

With a .358 batting average, Derr is one of the several Golden Bears batting over .300 this season. Derr has brought in 12 runs with 29 hits, eight doubles, 25 RBIs and one home run. Only a sophomore, Derr plans to continue improving throughout the rest of the season.

“For me personally, I definitely want to continue working on hitting,” Derr said. “But with our team, as long as our offense does the work, defense and pitching have been there all season.”

KU is back in action for a PSAC doubleheader Friday, April 6 at East Stroudsburg University, at 2:30 p.m. The Golden Bears will host Mercyhurst College in a non-conference doubleheader at 1 p.m. at North Campus Field on Saturday, April 7.