Colleen Smith fields a ground ball

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – After a long and grueling season, the Kutztown softball team has ended in a gratifying conclusion. The ladies defeated East Stroudsburg on Saturday, April 26 in a pair of 6-1 victories at Zimbar Field. Despite the well-placed effort of the team, it was not enough to get them into the playoffs.

At the end of the season, the team’s overall record was 20-19 and were 11-17 in the conference. The team accumulated more wins at home (9-9) but they proved to struggle more on the road (5-12). ESU has also been eliminated.

The Golden Bears began the game fired up with a huge four-runs in the first inning, then highlighted by a three-run home run by junior Mary Kociencki. KU kept up the momentum in the second, as sophomore Danielle Sienko connected for an RBI single with loaded bases, giving senior Stephanie Curry a chance to score, leading the game 5-0.

ESU only scored in the bottom of the third from an RBI. KU finished the first game with senior Morgan Booth scoring the final run, with a final score of 6-1. The all of the ladies were hitting well, but Sienko went for an impressive 3-for-4 at bats along with three RBIs.

During the second game, junior Dominique Ficara had four strikeouts and six hits, clearing the way for KU to go on and win the second game with the same score of 6-1. Senior Colleen smith put up solid numbers in the nightcap, going 4-for-4 with five RBIs as well as a home run. KU kept up the fire, as Smith connected for a single to left field, letting senior Jackie Hetzler cross the plate. Smith’s streak didn’t end there as she followed up with dual RBIs in the top of the third, scoring both Booth and freshmen Ashley Lechner to lead the game 3-0.

The bears ended their final inning of the style with a bang, as Booth hit a lead-off triple, brining Sienko home with an RBI single. Her next at-bat, Smith then nailed a two-run homer to clear the bases for the doubleheader sweep. Kociencki pitched the whole game, allowing seven hits and one strikeout.

Smith was KU’s leading batter of the season, averaging .365 with 14 doubles, six home runs, and 36 RBI. Sienko also obtained 36 RBI with an average of 3.22 with a team-high 49 hits.