KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Kutztown University softball team made it 11-straight wins when it took two in its opening Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) doubleheader against Shippensurg University by scores of 3-2 and 4-3, Friday at North Campus Field.

Savannah Nierintz (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) picked up both KU victories on the day after a complete-game in game one (five hits, five strikeouts), was followed up with three scoreless innings of relief in game two. She gave up just one hit in the second game, which allowed Kutztown to make its late-inning comeback.

Kutztown (19-7, 2-0 PSAC) trailed 3-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning of game two, with a first and third situation on offense. A failed pick off allowed Sara Keeny (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) to come around to score to cut the deficit to one. Danielle Amato (Henderson, Nev./Coronado) hit a single to left field to score Blayse Cholish (Peckville, Pa./Valley View) to make it 3-3.

The Golden Bears broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth off of a Nicki Mann (Greentown, Pa./Wallenpaupack Area) RBI-single through the left side to take their first lead of the game. Nierintz then stopped a late effort by SU in the top of the seventh, stranding the tying-run on second base to seal the 4-3 win.

Kutztown jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning of game one. Asja Saito (Pickering, Ontario/Pickering) hit an RBI-single, and Bridget Newman (Ardmore, Pa./Haverford) later scored off a throwing error to take a two-run lead.

Newman followed the run up with a fourth-inning solo-shot to make it 3-0. Shippensburg again threatened late, scoring two runs in the top of the sixth to make it 3-2, but Nierintz (9-5, 1.79 ERA) retired the side in order in the seventh to complete the day's sweep.

Newman led the Golden Bears on offense, finishing the day a combined 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Mann went 3-for-6 with an RBI. Amato (2), and Saito also added RBIs on the afternoon. Keeny went 4-for-4 in game two with two runs scored.

Chloe Collins led the Raiders (9-14, 0-2) on offense, finishing the day 2-for-6 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Tara Bicko went a combined 4-for-8. Taryn Wilson threw a complete-game in game two, allowing 11 hits and two earned runs.

The Golden Bears turn around with another PSAC doubleheader, traveling to East Stroudsburg University on Saturday, March 26. Game one is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.