MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville's early-season home run barrage continued, but Kutztown had just a little more offensive firepower Saturday at Seaber Stadium. The visiting Golden Bears edged Millersville 9-8 in the opener and won 10-2 in game two to even the series at two wins apiece.
Millersville mashed five home runs in the doubleheader, and
Faith Willenbrock hit one in each game, giving her one in each game this season and one in six of her last eight games dating to 2020. Willenbrock finished the day 5-for-7 with three RBIs.
GAME ONE (KUTZTOWN 9, MILLERSVILLE 8)
• Millersville led 7-2 after four innings and held an 8-5 lead heading into the sixth, but Kutztown rallied behind the top of its lineup. Kate Ostaszewski, Hannah Auvil and Jenna Lipowski each hit a run-scoring double in a span of four batters to help Kutztown to a four-run inning and a 9-8 lead.
• Bridget Bailey, who entered in relief, kept Millersville in check over the final two innings to earn her first win of the season.
• Millersville built its early lead in the third when
Aleese Angelo hit a three-run homer and Willenbrock followed with a solo shot. In the fourth,
Devan Masciulli homered, Willenbrock doubled in a run, and
Hunter Little drew a bases-loaded walk.
Rebecca Blatt added an RBI single in the fifth.
• Willenbrock went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Angelo went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and Masciulli went 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and an RBI.
GAME TWO (KUTZTOWN 10, MILLERSVILLE 2)
• For the first time in four games, Kutztown managed to quiet the Millersville bats. Bailey followed her relief performance in game one with a 2 1/3 innings in the start before Amber Brugger (1-1) entered in the third and kept Millersville hitless over the final 2 2/3 innings. Willenbrock and
Gabi Turner mashed back-to-back homers in the bottom of the third, but Millersville got no closer than 4-2. Kutztown quelled any chance of a Millersville rally with a four-run fourth.
• Kutztown held a 14-5 advantage in hits. Two of Millersville's hits came from Willenbrock.
Marli Schreiner and
Sam Fried both added singles.
REACTION FROM COACH JEN PROBST
•
Overall impression of the season's first series: "The first couple games of the season really show what you're doing well and what you need to work on. They also give the rookies a chance to get acclimated to the speed of the college game. Opening up against conference opponents is tough because you usually have an opportunity to work those things out before conference play. We are really lucky to have a bye weekend coming up and play two non-conference opponents."
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On Willenbrock's hitting: "Faith is having a lot of success because she's taking advantage of every opportunity this year. She's not adding pressure to the moment and is staying present."
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On lessons learned by young pitchers: "The college strike zone and quality of hitters one through nine is a tough adjustment for young pitchers. Not having fall games and moving right into conference play just means our pitchers will have to adjust quicker. They all have a great work ethic and positive mindsets. I have no doubt they will continue to elevate their games.."
NOTES
• Schreiner recorded her first career hit in game one and went 2-for-4 on the day.
• Willenbrock has recorded nine hits with a 2.579 OPS in the first four games of the season. She now has 31 career home runs.
• Masciulli has two homers in four games this season after hitting two in her first 98 career games.
UP NEXT
• Millersville travels to Bloomfield College for a doubleheader on March 13.
