Box Score 1 | Box Score 2



Game 1: West Chester 2, Kutztown 0 (HTML Box Score)
 
Game 2: West Chester 3, Kutztown 1 (HTML Box Score)
 
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – In a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) doubleheader against No. 23 West Chester University on Saturday, the Kutztown University softball team fought from behind the whole day after giving up two runs in the first inning of both games. The Golden Bears fell 2-0 in the opener and lost 3-1 in the nightcap.
 
West Chester (26-11, 13-3 PSAC E) has now created a comfortable cushion at the top of the PSAC East, while Kutztown (14-19, 6-8 PSAC E) remains floating around in the middle of the pack.
 
In the first game, West Chester put up two runs in the bottom of the first that would end up being the game winners. After pitcher Dominique Ficara (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional (Hofstra)) recorded an early strikeout, Kim Murl and Jillian Murray both knocked in RBI singles to put WCU on the board. Savannah Nierintz (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) was called into the circle to retire the inning and finish out the game.
 
KU struggled to get into scoring position with only three hits on the game. Jackie Hetzler (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township), Danielle Sienko (Philadelphia, Pa./William Penn Charter), and Justine Rossi (Hazleton, Pa./Hazleton Area) each tallied a single in the opener.
 
Ficara is credited with the loss, while Nierintz closed out with three strikeouts. The duo gave up 10 hits to the opposing Golden Rams. Murl pitched a complete game for WCU with five strikeouts and three walks.
 
Murl got things going for WCU again in the second contest, opening up the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single out to right field. Kelly Anderson stepped into the box next to keep things rolling, bringing home Murl with an RBI double to center field.
 
Kutztown responded with two hits and its first run of the day in the top of the third inning. Morgan Booth (Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) got on base with a single through the right side, followed by Rachel Lawes (Reading, Pa./Governor Mifflin) reaching on a fielding error. Colleen Smith (Islip Terrace, NY/East Islip (Hofstra)) brought Booth around to score with a single, then stole second to put runners on second and third with no outs. WCU pitcher Micaela McSpadden was able to work through the jam and retire the inning.
 
West Chester picked up one more run in the fourth to close out the game with a 3-1 win.
 
Marka Ballard (Redwood City, CA/Mercy Burlingame), Lawes, Booth, and Smith recorded singles to account for KU's four hits. Nierintz and Ficara split time in the circle again, this time with Nierintz receiving the loss. The duo combined for two strikeouts and gave up nine hits.
 
McSpadden also pitched a complete game for WCU and moved to a perfect 9-0 on the season.

The Maroon and Gold will have a day off before heading to Shippensburg University for a doubleheader on Monday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. The teams split the first doubleheader at North Campus Field last week.