JAN PHYL VILLAGE, Fla. – The Kutztown University softball team had only dropped two games in a day once this season and it wasn't going to let it happen again. KU bounced back to take down Nyack College 7-2 after falling to Winona State University 5-2 earlier in the day Friday in non-conference action at the Auburndale Complex in Jan Phyl Village, Florida.
 
The Golden Bears (13-7 overall) had their four-game win streak snapped in the opener, but bounced back to end the day on a high note.
 
After the two games, head coach Judy Lawes and her team honored KU's lone senior, Taylor Knappenberger (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland). Knappenberger has played in 146 games over her four-year career and has totaled 105 hits, 51 runs and 45 RBI. She has a .931 fielding percentage as a third baseman.
 
Jenna Lipowski (Nanticoke, Pa./Greater Nanticoke Area) was 4-for-7 at the plate combined between the two games, including two homeruns and a double, while adding three runs and four RBI. Hannah Auvil (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point) had a three-hit day, while Knappenberger, Alyssa Oakley (Allentown, Pa./Parkland), Paola Texidor (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township), Gillian Walsh (Easton, Pa./Easton) and Hannah Boggs (Walnutport, Pa./Northampton) all finished with two hits. Alyssa Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Cumberland Regional) added her seventh homerun this season. The junior duo of Lipowski (9) and Donato are 1-2 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in homeruns.
 
Bridget Bailey (Norwood, Pa./Interboro) came into the game in relief in the second inning of the nightcap and threw six innings, allowing five hits and zero runs while striking out five batters. She earned her fifth victory this season, second in the conference.
 
Kutztown will play a doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, March 14, against PSAC opponent Edinboro University. First pitch of game one is set for 10 a.m.
 
Winona State 5, Kutztown 2
 
After a scoreless first inning, Donato put Kutztown out in front with a two-run drive over the left field fence for an early 2-0 lead.
 
Winona State got onto the scoreboard in the top of the fourth, plating five runs on six hits as the Trojans (12-6) batted around and took control of the game, doubling KU's lead to go up 5-2.
 
Kutztown was outhit 10-9.
 
Kutztown 7, Nyack 2
 
Kutztown made sure it was not going to get swept Friday, and Lipowski delivered the first blow. With one out and two on in the top of the first inning, Lipowski drove a 2-2 pitch over the left field fence for a three-run homerun and a 3-0 lead before the Warriors could even get to the plate.
 
Nyack struck back for two in the bottom of the second to pull within just one run, but the Maroon and Gold followed suit in the fourth inning and added two runs back onto their lead thanks to a two-run single down the right field line by Kiera Brown (Nanticoke, Pa./Greater Nanticoke Area). It was the second straight day the junior came up clutch with a two-run base hit.
 
Kutztown added a run in each of the final two innings, highlighted by another Lipowski long ball to finish off Nyack.
 
Bailey entered the game in the second inning and finished it off by going six strong.