TOURNAMENT PAGE

KUTZTOWN, Pa. (May 9, 2012)—No one would have ever imagined that All-American Nicole Henninger (Reading, PA./Muhlenberg) (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) would spend her senior season watching the success of the Kutztown University softball team and not being a part of it.

The Golden Bears (48-4 overall) are ranked third in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll. KU will continue its postseason run as they host West Virginia Wesleyan (42-12) in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Super Regional for a best-of-three game series beginning on Friday, May 11 at 1 p.m. Game 2 will start at 1 p.m. on Saturday, followed by Game 3 at 3:30 if necessary.

Kutztown is making its second appearance in the super regional. In 2009, the Golden Bears fell to Lock Haven in the best-of-three series by scores of 1-0 and 2-1.

West Virginia Wesleyan entered the regional as the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) regular season and conference tournament champions, then defeated Bloomsburg, California (Pa.) and Lock Haven to reach their first super regional in history. Kutztown knocked off Winston-Salem State, West Virginia State and Indiana (Pa.) to reach the super regional. 

Kutztown's success this season has ranged from tying the school record in wins, earning its highest ranking in program history at second in the NFCA poll, amassing a 33-game winning streak, and various other achievements that has made it a team to be feared.

In the 2010-11 season, Henninger's presence at the plate was unstoppable as she led the Golden Bears with a .342 batting, RBIs (49), home runs (16), and doubles (11). She racked up six postseason awards and was more than ready to go out with a bang in the 2011-12 season.

However, Hennniger's plans didn't go quite as expected. In the first game of the year, a crucial fibula fraction and ankle dislocation quickly erased her hopes of another dream season in the maroon and gold.

“I knew right away something was wrong,” Henninger said. “After sliding into second, my ankle clipped with the bag. I heard a pop and crack but I didn't feel the pain immediately. I laid there screaming because I knew that it was bad.”

After hearing the heartbreaking news that she'd have to sit the season out to recover, Henninger didn't respond well to the news. But it was her parents' words, guidance, and support that lifted her spirits to her road to recovery.

One situation in particular, shifted her devotion from softball to family. Hennniger's father was diagnosed with cancer in the beginning of the semester. The time that she would have spent on the team practicing, playing games, and traveling was time that she now devoted to her ill father. 

“This situation was a blessing in disguise,” Henniger said. “My dad's health wasn't good and wouldn't allow him to be at many games. When senior day took place, I was thinking, “I'm supposed to be out there with the rest of the seniors” but coincidentally my dad was really sick that day and wouldn't have been able to make it. Everything truly happens for a reason.”

Henninger is still very much involved with the team. Spectators will find her at every Kutztown game, slowly wobbling on crutches. She occasionally makes her way to the inning-by-inning huddles if her ankle allows her.

“I'm so proud of my team,” Henninger said. “Everything we set out to do, we did it. This year is a testament of what we've worked for. I know that we have the capability of making it to the NCAA DII Championship. West Virginia Wesleyan is a good team but if we play our game, we'll be fine.”

As Henninger continues to recover, she looks at this life-changing situation in a positive manner. With the support of her family, coaches, and teammates she intends to get back on the field next year to finish where she left off.


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