MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The Kutztown University softball team won two games against two separate opponents in two different ways Monday on the campus of Barry University. KU began its day coming from behind to hold on for a 2-1 victory against West Liberty, and followed that up with a 7-0 shutout win over host Barry in non-conference action.
 
The Golden Bears (8-5 overall) have now won five games in a row and six of their last seven overall.
 
Alyssa Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Cumberland Regional) and Hannah Boggs (Walnutport, Pa./Northampton) both had three-hit days at the plate for KU. Paola Texidor (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township), Jenna Lipowski (Nanticoke, Pa./Greater Nanticoke Area) and Hannah Auvil (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point) each finished with two hits, both were in game two. Taylor Knappenberger (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland) recorded her 100th career hit in the opener, a single to center field, while Lipowski followed suit, reaching the plateau in the nightcap. 
 
In the circle, Sarah Harvey (Swanton, Vt./Missisquoi Valley Union) and Bridget Bailey (Norwood, Pa./Interboro) both threw complete games, combining to allow just 12 hits and one run in 14 innings Monday.
 
Kutztown will next square off against Nova Southeastern for a twin bill tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10, beginning at 5 p.m.
 
Kutztown 2, West Liberty 1
 
West Liberty got onto the scoreboard early with a run in its first at-bats in the top of the first inning on a run-scoring single. But that would be all the scoring that the Bears would muster up on Harvey, who was dealing in the circle all game. The freshman sat down 19 of the final 25 batters she faced after allowing the lone run-producing hit.
 
Although the KU offense produced its third-lowest scoring game of the season, the two runs was all that was needed to earn the victory.
 
Following a leadoff walk to Lipowski to open up the bottom of the second inning for the Maroon and Gold, Sam Trafford (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks West) pinch ran and then stole second. She later touched home plate on an RBI single to left field by Boggs to pull KU even with West Liberty in the score column. Donato then continued hear tear on the softball, getting a hold of one with one out in the bottom of the fourth that traveled over the left center field fence and a 2-1 Kutztown advantage. Donato's game-winning homerun was her fifth this season and third in the last three games. She's tied for second in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in long balls.
 
Kutztown 7, Barry 0
 
Kutztown broke out in the top of the third inning scoring four runs on four hits while eight batters came to the plate. Ava Bottiglia (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) led off the inning with a base hit and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kate Ostaszewski (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan). Following a single from Texidor and a walk to Gillian Walsh (Easton, Pa./Easton) to load the bases, Lipowski singled through the left side that brought home two runners. Donato then reached on a fielder's choice in the next at-bat and Walsh touched home plate for a 5-0 lead.
 
Donato then did it again in the top of the fifth, sending a 2-0 pitch over the left fielder's head to push KU's advantage to 7-0. It was Donato's fourth homerun in the last four games.
 
Bailey threw the shutout to earn her third win on the year, while striking out six batters.