KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The fourth-seeded Glenville State Softball team overcame a four-run deficit and scored eight unanswered runs to down third-seeded Kutztown, 10-6, earlier today (May 21) in game one of the NCAA DII Atlantic Super Regional. The Pioneers, who have now reached 50 wins this season, used 12 hits and strong pitching from their All-MEC First Team duo to inch themselves closer to Chattanooga.
GSU 10 | Kutztown 6
A first inning home run and an error by the Pioneer defense in the 2
nd that led to two runs would put Glenville State down 3-0 early. Kutztown added onto their advantage in the third on a fielder's choice, however,
Delaney Warnick quickly cut the KU lead in half by golfing a two-run home run over the left-center field fence.
The Golden Bears got the runs back in the same inning, plating two on a sac fly and another Pioneer error. Down 6-2, the blue and white's offense powered back with eight unanswered runs in the final three innings. It all started in the 5
th, when
Alexis Harward and
Shelby McDaniels notched back-to-back RBI singles and
Kylee Goodman scored on a fielder's choice. The following inning,
Zailees Seda rocketed a line drive home run in the gap to tie things up at six all.
Kylie Burdick sat the Golden Bears down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 6
th before GSU put up a four spot in the 7
th. After Harward and McDaniels found their way on base, head coach
Sara Scoone pinch hit super-utility sophomore
AndiJo Howard with two outs in the inning. Howard took full advantage of the opportunity, hitting an absolute no-doubter to give the Pioneers a 9-6 lead.
Hannah Howe then doubled and Seda doubled her in to extend the advantage to four. Burdick pitched herself out of a small jam in the bottom of the seventh, which was capped off with Goodman flashing the leather on a diving catch in foul territory to solidify the 10-6 victory.
Final Stats
Kutztown
Emily Henn and Samantha Paetow both had two hits while Henn was one of three Golden Bears to finish with an RBI. Haley Gravish relieved Amanda Slabicki, who gave up five earned runs in 4.1 innings of work. Gravish took the loss after 2.2 IP and five runs surrendered, as only one was earned but seven hits were driven off her.
Glenville State
Zailees Seda had a day, going 3-for-4 with a home run, double and two RBIs.
Shelby McDaniels and
Alexis Harward added two hits and an RBI each as well.
AndiJo Howard led the team in runs batted in with three on her home run and
Delaney Warnick notched two RBIs in the win.
Maci Boggess started and went four innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Senior
Kylie Burdick came out of the bullpen and was outstanding, fanning four Golden Bears over three innings to grab the win.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers and Golden Bears will meet for game two of the Super Regional at 1 p.m. tomorrow (May 22) afternoon. GSU needs to win one game to advance to the NCAA DII Women's College World Series while KU will have to defeat the Pioneers twice.
