Millersville, Pa. - The Millersville softball team had to play 15 games before it could open its PSAC East/home slates, but Kutztown spoiled that homecoming by taking game one 6-2 and game two 6-5 in 11 innings, the Black & Gold's first 11-inning game since playing 12 against IUP on April 3, 2010.

The Marauders (8-9, 0-2 PSAC East) held a lead in both games but the Golden Bears' (14-4, 2-0 PSAC East) ace, Savannah Nierentz was too tough a riddle to crack in game one and also took the relief win in game two. In the day's second contest, Millersville led 2-0 early, Kutztown took the lead back and the Marauders tied the score twice more but the Golden Bears had the marathon's last laugh.

Millersville opened the scoring in the first inning of game one when Gabbie Berry singled home Jordan Sheffield. However, the visitors talled one run in the third, one in the fourth, three in the fifth, and another in the sixth to take a commanding 6-1 advantage. The home team was able to score a second run in the bottom of the seventh when Berry hit another RBI single and Brittany Smith scored from second after Kutztown's first baseman threw the ball away trying to catch Berry rounding first base too hard. That's where the score would stand though.

Brianna Andraos (4-4) took the loss after throwing seven innings and gave up six runs, four earned, on six hits with seven walks and a career-high 10 strikeouts. On the other side, Nierentz (10-0) threw a complete game with two runs given up, only one earned, on five hits with a punchout.

The Marauders struck first again in game two and were up 2-0 after freshmen Kelsey Campbell blasted the first home run of her career, a two-run shot off the scoreboard above the left field fence. Cassidy Pinchorski (4-5) pitched well all game until she gave up a four spot in the seventh. Millersville wasn't done though as Maria Spinosa crushed a two-run home run of her own and the score was tied back up at 4-4. That marked the second round tripper of the sophomore Spinosa's career.

The Golden Bears doubled home a run to go up 5-4 in the 10th but again, the Marauders answered when Sheffield stole second and came all the way around to score when Kutztown's catcher threw down to second but no one was there. In the top of the 11th, Bridget Newman was placed at second for the Golden Bears, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and touched home thanks to Sam Fraser's RBI groundout.

Heather Lutz was placed on second for Millersville to open the bottom of the frame but the Marauders went three up, three down.

Pinchorski pitched all 11 innings for Millersville and gave up six runs, four earned, on 11 hits while walking only one and strikout out eight. That's the longest outing for a Marauder pitcher since Alicia Hughes went 11.1 innings in that April 3, 2010 game vs. IUP. Dominique Ficara lasted six and a third innings before Nierintz threw 4.2 innings of relief with one unearned run on four hits and earned the win.

For the day, Berry had four hits in her eight at-bats while Sheffield was a combined 3-of-8 for the two games.

The Marauders host No. 21 West Chester on Monday with game one's first pitch set for 2 p.m.