WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Sophomore Taylor Knappenberger (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) connected on her first home run of the season, but the Kutztown University softball team suffered two losses at West Chester University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division action Thursday afternoon, 12-1 in game one, and 9-1 in game two. Both games were decided in five innings.
 
It was Knappenberger's second career home run as part of a 2-4 day at the plate for the Golden Bears (11-12 overall, 0-4 PSAC East). She was 2-for-2, including the solo shot in game two for KU, its only extra-base hit on the day. Freshman Alyssa Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Cumberland Regional) tallied a pinch-hit RBI in game one. She now has RBI in two straight at-bats.
 
Kutztown had a tough time getting anything going offensively against Golden Rams (19-8, 4-0) and their starting pitcher Amanda Houck. The senior left-hander allowed a combined six hits and two earned runs, while striking out five KU batters in the two games. Entering Thursday, Houck led the PSAC in ERA (1.03), wins (10), innings (85), and was second in strikeouts (66).
 
KU fell behind 3-0 lead after the first inning of each game, and could not muster up enough offense for a comeback.
 
Tamara Jennings (Philadelphia, Pa./Nazareth Academy) and Cheyenne Jones (Levittown, Pa./Harry S Truman (Northwest Florida State)) each had one hit in game one, with Jones coming around to score on Donato's RBI single. Jacqueline Walsh (Downingtown, Pa./Coatesville) had KU's other hit in game two, outside of Knappenberger's two hits.
 
West Chester was receiving votes in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association national poll.
 
Kutztown is set for its home-opener tomorrow, Friday, April 6 when Millersville University comes to North Campus Field for a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m.