GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The Kutztown University softball team fought hard in two one-run contests, but dropped both in day two of the Pioneer Classic at Tusculum College on Saturday.
One thing is for sure; it certainly wasn't for a lack of effort.
KU fell to Goldey-Beacom, 5-4, in the opener, and 2-1 to Shepherd in the nightcap.
During the first game against Goldey-Beacom, the Golden Bears jumped out to a one-run lead after the first, but found themselves down 5-2 heading into the top of the seventh inning.
Sara Keeny (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) dropped down a base-hit bunt with one out to get Kutztown a runner on base.
Nicki Mann (Greentown, Pa./Wallenpaupack Area) followed it up by reaching on a fielding error. A fielder's choice kept runners on first and second with two outs before
Danielle Amato (Henderson, Nev./Coronado) got a base hit up the middle to load the bases.
Gabby Tareila (Limerick, Pa./Spring-Ford) doubled to deep centerfield, plating two to cut the lead to 5-4. Goldey-Beacom pitcher Alyssa Giampolo was able to get the last batter to fly out to end the last-inning rally.
Tareila led the way on offense for the Golden Bears (2-4), with the two-run hit.
Bridget Newman (Ardmore, Pa./Haverford) went 1-for-3 with an RBI and started the game pitching, going 3.2 innings striking out one and allowing two earned runs. Amato pitched 2.1, striking out two and allowing two earned runs.
Giampolo went seven innings for the Lightning (1-1), allowing eight hits and one earned run. Four different players had RBIs for Goldey-Beacom, with Kelsey Brandle leading the way going 2-for-4. It was the first season-opening win for Goldey-Beacom since 2012. The Lightning split for the day, dropping their second game 9-4 to UVA-Wise.
During the second game of the day, Kutztown found itself in a pitching-duel with Shepherd University. Both starting pitchers
Savannah Nierintz (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) of KU and Tara Hanson of SU went completed games. Nierintz pitched six innings, allowing seven hits and just one earned run while striking out five.
Shepherd University got on the board first in the second inning to jump out to a 1-0 lead.
The game would remain that way until the top of the sixth inning, when Amato doubled to right field to drive in an RBI. SU answered right back in the bottom half of the inning with a run of its own to make it 2-1. The Golden Bears were able to produce two hits in the top of the seventh, but couldn't bring the two base runners around to score in the defeat.
Danielle Sienko (Philadelphia, Pa./William Penn Charter) led the way for Kutztown, finishing the day 3-for-3 with an RBI. Amato went 1-for-3 with a run scored while Keeny finished 2-for-4.
Hanson went seven innings, allowing nine hits and one earned run for Shepherd University (1-0). Kaitlin Munda led the offense for SU, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and run scored. Courtney Clemons finished 1-for-2 with an RBI.
Kutztown finishes the tournament with two games on Sunday, Feb. 28. The first is against Ursuline University at 1 p.m. The second and last game for the Golden Bears is a rematch against Shepherd University at 3 p.m. Both games will be held at Red Edmonds Field.
