HTML Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – After dropping the opener 2-1 in extra innings, Kutztown University softball senior Colleen Smith led the Golden Bears to a 9-7 victory over Shippensburg University in the nightcap with a walk-off home run during Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action from North Campus Field on Tuesday.
 
Kutztown (24-11, 12-7 PSAC E) rushed out to a 5-1 lead after three innings in the nightcap, but saw its advantage quickly diminish as Shippensburg (11-14, 6-12) utilized a three-run homer in the fourth to garner a 7-6 lead over KU heading into the final inning.
 
Leading off the bottom of the seventh, Danielle Amato continued her hot streak at the plate with a double out to right center. After miscues by the Shippensburg pitcher, Kutztown found itself with two runners in scoring position and one out. A bizarre play with a flurry of miscommunication resulted in an out at home plate, bringing Smith to the box with two on and two outs. Smith remained calm to start off with a 3-0 count, before smashing the game-winning home run over the outfield batting cages in walk-off fashion.
 
A seventh-inning home run in the opener almost gave Kutztown a perfect 2-0 day, but the Raiders prevailed in extra innings. Ship led 1-0 for the entire game, until Amato smacked a solo home run off the outfield scoreboard to force a stalemate. After two quick groundouts, Shippensburg put together three consecutive singles to plate the winning run in the eighth.
 
Amato also scored KU's first run in game two with another solo shot over the fence. She finished the day 4-for-7 with two home runs, a double, and three RBI as the starting shortstop.
 
Smith's only hit of the day came through when the Maroon and Gold needed it most, as her and Amato accounted for six of the team's 10 RBI on the day.
 
Danielle Sienko went 3-for-4 in the nightcap with an RBI while freshmen Blayse Cholish and Bridget Newman each turned in 2-for-4 performances at the plate in game two to contribute to Kutztown's 12-hit game, marking the most hits in a conference game for the Golden Bears this season. Newman and Asja Saito combined for the final three RBI.
 
Dominique Ficara pitched a four-hit complete game in the opening setback, recording four strikeouts. Savannah Nierintz started and then finished game two in the circle for KU, striking out two in the triumph.
 
The Golden Bears return to North Campus Field tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15 for their fifth doubleheader in as many days. Start time is slated for 2:30 p.m. against Chestnut Hill College.