CLERMONT, Fla. – The Kutztown University softball team started off the NTC College Spring Games with a victory against Saint Anselm College (5-3) but was defeated by Walsh University (7-1) on Saturday at the Legends Way Ballfields.
Kutztown opened up the day against Saint Anselm and took home a 5-3 victory. The Golden Bears were riding a 4-0 lead headed into the sixth inning before Saint Anselm scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to bring the score to 4-3.
The Golden Bears kept their composure and notched an insurance run in the seventh and held Saint Anselm scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to cap the victory.
Savannah Nierintz (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) got the nod in the circle and improved her season record to 5-1. She held Saint Anselm scoreless through the first five innings and struck out six batters in the complete-game effort.
Bridget Newman (Ardmore, Pa./Haverford) led the way with a two-RBI single that opened things up in the fifth.
Gabby Tareila (Limerick, Pa./Spring-Ford) knocked in the first run of the game for the Golden Bears and finished the game going 3-for-4 at the plate.
Gia Santigate (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by-the-Sea) knocked in the late insurance run in the seventh. It is the second of her young career.
Tamara Jennings (Philadelphia, Pa./Nazareth Academy) finished with a game-high two runs.
Unfortunately for Kutztown, it would not find similar success against Walsh as it dropped a 7-1 decision in the second game of the day.
Walsh took a commanding 5-0 lead after the first five innings of play. Although Kutztown was able to notch a run in the bottom of the fifth, it was unable to capitalize on the score and surrendered two more runs in the top of the seventh.
Blayse Cholish (Peckville, Pa./Valley View) was responsible for the lone run by the Golden Bears, knocking in
Marissa Linquist (West Deptford, N.J./West Deptford) by way of a fielder's choice.
Sara Keeny (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) finished with a team-high two hits to finish the contest.
The Golden Bears will continue play at the NTC College Spring Games tomorrow, Sunday, March 12, against Drury University and Ohio Dominican University. The first game will be at 8 a.m. against Drury.
