HTML Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2
 
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Dominique Ficara needed just 57 pitches in her complete game, game two victory against Lock Haven University on Monday afternoon. Not only did she lead the Kutztown University softball team to a 2-1 game two win that salvaged Kutztown's 6-3 defeat in the opener, but it marked head coach Judy Lawes' 850th career win.
 
Lawes is in the midst of her 27th winning season in 28 years at the helm of the Golden Bears (19-7, 7-3 PSAC East). She holds an overall record of 850-471-2 (.643), which ranks 10th among active Division II coaches in victories and 33rd in winning percentage. All-time, Lawes ranks 17th in victories and 46th in winning percentage.
 
Kutztown trailed 6-0 heading into the final inning of game one. Taking advantage of a Lock Haven fielding error, Asja Saito drove in the first run as KU was down to its final out.
 
Notably, Saito leads Division II in sacrifice hits per game at 0.63 per game. She did not have any on Monday.
 
Danielle Amato followed Saito with a RBI double, Smith put two runners on base with a single up the middle, and Bridget Newman drove in Amato with a single to put KU down 6-3 and bring the game-tying run to the plate. The potential comeback ended there, however, as a swinging strikeout ended the game.
 
Savannah Nierintz, this week's and three-time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Pitcher of the Week, suffered her first loss of the season in her 16th appearance. In five innings, she allowed seven hits and four runs – three earned – with two strikeouts.
 
Ficara stepped up when her team needed her most in game two. She didn't strike out one batter in her sixth win of the year, but she kept hitters off balance and averaged just more than eight pitches per inning in her complete game performance, the 52nd of her career for fifth all-time at KU.
 
The Golden Bears once again had to overcome an early deficit, but trailing by one run was much different than trailing by six (game one). In the sixth inning, Colleen Smith tied up the game with a home run to center field. One inning later, KU continued to dig deep as Saito drove in the game-winning RBI single with two outs.
 
Ficara forced two groundouts to open the seventh inning, and on a fly ball to left field with two outs, Kutztown's Marissa Linquist laid out and made a diving play to end the game.
 
The Golden Bears return to action on Tuesday, April 7 to take on Millersville University at North Campus Field beginning at 2:30 p.m.