No. 9 Kutztown Too Much for Marauders

Wednesday, April 8

MU Softball Field

3 p.m.

Millersville University

Kutztown

No. 9 Kutztown Too Much for Marauders

4/8/2009 9:14:31 PM | Softball

Box Scores: Game 1 / Game 2

Millersville, Pa. — No. 9 Kutztown came into Wednesday's doubleheader with the Millersville softball team without a loss in its last 13 games. That steak extended to 15 as the Golden Bears offense roared to life with 8-0 and 10-1 wins.

Millersville's (20-19, 1-9) PSAC East struggles continued thanks to the Golden Bears' (35-6-1, 10-0) big bats. KU came in with a conference high 45 home runs, and it added to that total in game one. Krista Tedjeske went deep and Steph Denlinger hit her team-leading 18th home run of the season in the win. It was the 74th career home run for Denlinger, who is the all-time leader in NCAA Division II in home runs.

The Marauders had opportunities to put runs on the board, but both of their two out rallies came up empty. In the fourth MU loaded the bases, but Katlin Arbogast (17-3) got Amy Kossyk swinging to end the inning. The Black and Gold would threaten again in the fifth with singles by Shaina Briel, Casey Coker, and Kelly Fitzgerald, but right fielder Maggie Reifsnyder threw out Briel at the plate to end the inning.

Despite failing to score any runs, Fitzgerald was 3-for-3 for the Marauders in game one. Courtney Eckman (8-6) threw six innings, striking out three in defeat. Arbogast picked up the win and struck out 11.

In game two, Kutztown once again jumped out to a 2-0 lead after its first at bats, but Briel answered with a solo home run, her fifth of the season, in the bottom of the first.

The Golden Bears opened some breathing room with a run in the second, third and sixth innings to make it 5-1. Heather Hannum homered in the second and Ashley Fitzgerald put one out in the third for the visitors. A 5-run seventh pushed the lead to 10-1.

Janelle Mrakovich (2-6) took the loss, but struck out two in her 6+ innings of work. Mary Hoch (10-1) fired a complete game and struck out five in earning the victory.

Millersville looks to rebound in Western Pennsylvania. The Marauders will take on Indiana (Pa.) in a non-conference doubleheader on Friday, before traveling to Edinboro for a set of games on Saturday.