WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Walking in a run in the eighth inning ended the Kutztown University softball team's 13-game winning streak in 2-1 fashion at West Chester University on Saturday. West Chester, ranked 15th in Division II, flexed its muscles in the nightcap with a six-run second inning to highlight an 8-0 win in five innings over KU.
The pair was Kutztown's first losses in nearly a month (March 8). KU (21-9, 4-2 PSAC East) moves into second place in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division standings behind undefeated West Chester (31-3, 6-0).
In game one, West Chester struck first on an unearned run in the fifth inning. With one out, WCU reached and advanced to third base on a throwing error by the KU catcher. An ensuing sacrifice bunt scored the run for the 1-0 lead.
Kutztown took advantage of a West Chester error the following inning. KU loaded the bases with one out off two singles and a fielding error by the WCU shortstop. West Chester threw out the runner at home the following batter, but walked in the tying run with two outs to tie the game at 1-1.
Unfortunately, the Golden Bear returned the favor two innings later. With a runner on third and two outs, KU walked a batter and intentionally walked another to load the bases with two outs. It ended up walking one-too-many batters with a bases-loaded walk to end the game.
Leadoff hitter
Sara Keeny (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent), this week's PSAC East Athlete of the Week, went 2-for-3 for half of KU's four hits.
Savannah Nierintz (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) threw a complete game and had five strikeouts, but six walks.
Danielle Sienko (Philadelphia, Pa./William Penn Charter) went 2-for-2 in the nightcap, accounting for 2-of-3 KU hits. West Chester rattled off 13 hits in game two, including eight in a six-run second inning to put the game out of reach in an eventual 8-0 loss for Kutztown.
Freshman
Jackie Morell (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) suffered her first loss of the season.
The Golden Bears play Monday, April 4 at Chestnut Hill College for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.