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SALEM, Va. – The Kutztown University softball team has no problem being tabbed the underdog. It's thrived on taking the final stretch of its season one game at a time, and with its latest hot streak, has all the reason to feel it what it takes to become the 2013 Division II National Softball Champions.
 
Kutztown (34-21) takes on Grand Valley State (44-7) in the opening round of the national championships on Thursday, May 23 beginning at 5 p.m. The Golden Bears and Lakers have met times in their program's history. Each team has won two games in the series dating back to 2007. The recent matchup was in 2012 when KU earned a 1-0 win during its yearly trip to Florida.

As always, we encourage fans to follow @KUGoldenBears on Twitter for the latest updates on Golden Bear softball as well as all 21 of Kutztown University's intercollegiate athletic teams.
 
LAST TIME OUT: Kutztown edged West Chester in a 2-1 victory to win the NCAA Atlantic Super Regionals and make a return trip to the Division II Softball Championship. Senior outfielder Maria Isgro (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) hit an RBI triple in the fourth inning to give the Golden Bears the lead. She later scored on a wild pitch to build a 2-0 lead. After starter Dominique Ficara (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional (Hofstra)) allowed a run in the fifth, Mary Kociencki (Columbia, N.J./Sparta ) closed the door in relief by forcing an inning-ending groundout with runners at second and third.
 
NCAA DIVISION II SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: After going a perfect 4-0 in the PSAC Championships and going 5-0 to win the Atlantic Region, the Golden Bears advanced to the DII Softball Championship. They join last year's returning champions, Valdosta State (46-11) and six other teams. Last year, Kutztown defeated Augustana (SD) and UC-San Diego to advance to the semifinals. However, KU lost twice to Valdosta State to be eliminated from the tournament. This year's appearance is the second in school history for Kutztown softball.
 
STRONG TOURNEY PLAY: The Golden Bears slugged powerfully to their PSAC Tournament triumph with 11 total home runs. Senior Brianna Knipe (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) hit two home runs in the tourney, including the tournament-clinching three-run walk-off home run against California. As a team, KU slugged .629 in the tourney. Meanwhile, in the NCAA Atlantic Regional, the pitching showed its strength. With sophomores Mary Kociencki (Columbia, N.J./Sparta ) and Dominique Ficara (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional (Hofstra)), Kutztown allowed only three runs in five games. That total is the fewest allowed in NCAA Tournament play (with Texas Women's).
 
Here's a look at the other seven team competing for a national championship:
 
#19 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA (47-11, Central): The Bronchos set a school record for wins, as they make the DII Softball Championship again. Like KU, the Bronchos lost in the semifinals last year after winning two games.
 
#4 ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC (42-8-1, Southeast): The Pirates make their first ever trip to the “World Series.” Armstrong swept KU in a doubleheader earlier this season at home, 7-2 and 9-7, back in mid-March.

MOLLOY (52-12, East): The Lions won their second-ever East Region title, with the first coming in 2010. They finished 0-2 in their first trip to the “World Series.” The team already set a school record for wins this season.
 
#3 VALDOSTA STATE (46-11, South): The Blazers look to defend their DII softball crown after defeating KU twice in the semifinal round. Their previous best came in 2010, when VSU lost in the title game by only one run.
 
#9 GRAND VALLEY STATE (44-7, Midwest): The Lakers make their second all-time trip to the “World Series.” The team reached the championship game in 2002, but lost in a shutout. GVSU plays KU on Thursday.
 
#6 TEXAS WOMEN'S (51-12, South Central): The Pioneers make their first trip to the DII Softball Championship. The school's last softball championship occurred in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (1979).
 
#5 HUMBOLDT STATE (52-12, West): The Jacks won two previous championships, with those titles won in 1999 and 2008. They also made the title game in 1994, but lost. This will be the team's sixth trip to the “World Series.”