Kutztown softball goes 1-2 at NCAAs, ends season 31-17

BUCKHANNON, W. VA. >> The Kutztown University softball team capped its 2017 campaign and second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance Saturday, falling 10-2 in five innings to the University of Charleston (W.Va.) in KU’s third game of the tournament at West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Culpepper Field.

The Golden Bears conclude with a 3117 record, their 29th winning season in 30 years, and their second-straight season competing in and winning a game at the NCAA Tournament.

Kutztown led the Golden Eagles 2-0 through the second inning. Asja Saito (Pickering, Ontario/Pickering) pulled off a two-strike squeeze play to score a sliding Amanda Portoff (Milford, Conn./Joseph A. Foran) for the first run (VIDEO), and KU walked in its second run with the bases loaded for the 2-0 lead.

Charleston followed with a three-run homer to center field in the third for a 3-2 lead. It utilized its speed and bunting ability to chase two KU pitchers in a sixrun fourth inning, and capped off Saturday’s elimination game with a final run in the fifth.

Senior pitcher Savannah Nierintz (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) closes out a decorated career in the Maroon and Gold. The 2017 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Pitcher of the Year ends with a 2.10 career ERA, and ranks second in school history with 118 appearances, 63 complete games, 59 wins, 617.2 innings pitched, six saves and 441 strikeouts.

Senior Marissa Linquist (West Deptford, N.J./West Deptford) started in 85of-129 career games. She increased her batting average every season, eclipsing at .308 this year in an injury-shortened campaign. She had three career homers with 22 RBI off 40 hits.

Kutztown’s third graduating senior is Justine Rossi (Hazleton, Pa./Hazleton Area). She played in 52 career games with 22 starts. She hit a career-best .429 as a sophomore and finished her career with seven hits and 11 runs scored.

Kutztown won its opening NCAA Tournament game Thursday on its ability to bunt. It took the lead on a squeeze-play in the second, and broke a tie with a sacrifice bunt and a throwing error to score the runner from first base as KU rolled to a 2-1 victory over Bloomsburg University at West Virginia Wesleyan’s Culpepper Field.

After a three-hour rain delay, Savannah Nierintz (Clifton Heights, Pa./Upper Darby) took the circle and led the Golden Bears (31-15) defensively. She pitched a no-hitter into the fifth inning and allowed minimal runners into scoring position. She finished with eight strikeouts, allowing three hits and no earned runs in her 22nd win of the season.

KU was sent to the elimination round by a 5-2 loss to West Virginia Wesleyan Friday.