CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Senior
Hannah Reimel (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) had another memorable postseason at-bat in her final season in Maroon and Gold. Her home run in the bottom of the seventh inning of game two broke a 0-0 deadlock and gave KU the 1-0 victory to force a deciding game three. But Charleston added two late runs and allowed just one hit in taking game three 2-0 and advancing to the 2024 NCAA Division II Championships in Longwood, Fla.
The Golden Bears finished their successful run in 2024 at 37-25 overall, playing in Super Regionals for the second time in the last three seasons.
It was a pitching and defensive battle all day Wednesday as the two teams combined for just three runs and 16 hits total in the two games.
Reimel's longball, her second of the season, came in the bottom of the seventh and won the game on the first run of the contest. Both
Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg) and Charleston starter, Brianna McCown were dealing. They each only gave up four hits, but one of those hits on McCown proved costly.
In game three, however, McCown got the last laugh as she struck out seven Maroon and Gold batters and allowed just one hit, which came with two outs in the top of the seventh and KU down 2-0. Ironically, Reimel came to the plate as the tying run in the seventh, but her long drive to center field was caught near the warning track.
The Golden Eagles (51-6) will now be one of just eight teams left playing for an NCAA title as they head to Longwood, Fla., with games beginning Sunday.
Brianna Stocklin (Deptford, N.J./Deptford Township) finished with two hits on the day. Reimel,
Alexa Stevens (Covington Township, Pa./North Pocono) and
Emily Henn (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) each had a hit for Kutztown. Gravish won her 23rd game of the season inside the circle in game two.
Head coach
Judy Lawes and her program are positioned to be just as strong next season as they are set to return eight out of 10 starters in the lineup. Reimel and
Brianna Hughes (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) are the lone seniors. That duo brought a lot of experience and wins to the program, playing in two Super Regionals and four Regional Tournaments, every season that they have donned Maroon and Gold.
