Box Score 1 | Box Score 2



UNC Pembroke 10, Kutztown 2 (5) (HTML Box Score)
 
Kutztown 4, Concord 3 (HTML Box Score)
 
PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Kutztown University softball team played the final two games of the UNC Pembroke Invitational on Friday afternoon, recording a win and a loss to kick off the regular season.
 
The Golden Bears (1-3) began Friday's competition with a rematch against UNC Pembroke, falling to the tournament-host 10-2 in five innings. KU rebounded in the second game, earning its first win of the season with a 4-3 decision over Concord University.

Kutztown's Dominique Ficara (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional (Hofstra)) and Danielle Sienko (Philadelphia, Pa./William Penn Charter) were named to the all-tournament team as well.
 
Kutztown fell behind in the first inning of the opening game against UNC. KU earned two of its five hits in the first, but left both runners on base to retire the side. UNC fell into a two-out hole quickly, but pulled through with five hits and three runs to open up the scoring, resulting in an early pitching change for Kutztown.
 
Caitlin Steel hit a triple for UNC in the bottom of the third, ringing in a RBI and putting herself in position to score on the next play. Kutztown gave up two more runs in the fourth to fall behind 7-0.
 
After two strikeouts for KU in the top of the fifth, Stephanie Curry (Winchester, VA/Millbrook) got things going for the Maroon and Gold with a single to left field. Jackie Hetzler (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) reached first after an error, advancing Curry to second. Rachel Lawes (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) launched one down the left-field line for a double, bringing both of her teammates in for KU's only runs of the game. UNC rallied for three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to call an end to the game.
 
Lawes continued her hot hitting streak from the previous game, batting 2-for-3 with two RBI's at the two-spot for KU. Savannah Nierintz (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby), Mary Kociencki (Columbia, N.J./Sparta ), and Demi Murray (Vineland, NJ/Vineland) all split time on the mound in the defeat.
 
In the second game, Kutztown's strong offensive effort in the fifth inning was the key component in the one-run victory over Concord.
 
Both scoring columns remained blank until Concord brought in two runs during the bottom of the fourth. Kutztown responded nicely, scoring all four of its runs in the top of the fifth.
 
Lawes led-off the inning with a single to left center, followed by a Nierintz bunt to put two runners on base. After a fly-out to left field, Marka Ballard (Redwood City, CA/Mercy Burlingame) singled to left center, loading the bases for the Golden Bears. Lindsey Kelley (Stafford, VA/North Stafford) was then walked, bringing in Lawes for KU's first run. Sienko was thrown out after a sacrifice grounder, but all runners advanced, tying the game 2-2. Morgan Booth (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) closed out the inning by smashing a triple to right field, bringing in Kelley and Ballard for two RBI.
 
Concord attempted to mount a comeback in the bottom of the fifth, but only managed to score one run. Both teams tallied a hit each in the final two innings but nothing came of it, giving Kutztown the 4-3 victory.
 
Lawes continued her efficient hitting with a 2-for-4 performance. Booth managed the same and led the team with two RBI off her game-winning triple. Ficara pitched all seven innings to record the complete game win, allowing five hits and finishing with three strikeouts. All three runs scored against Ficara were unearned.
 
Kutztown will have two weeks off before returning to the field for the Pioneer Classic hosted by Tusculum College in Greenville, TN, taking place Feb. 21-23.