HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTOS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 19, 2012)— The Kutztown University softball team saw its fairytale season come to an end as it fell 8-2 against No. 1 Valdosta State University in a semifinal game of the NCAA Division II Softball Championship at Knights Field, Saturday afternoon.

The Golden Bears' 2012 season included making its first appearance to the NCAA Division II Softball Championship, setting a program record 52 wins, a 33-game winning streak, and reaching second in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll, the highest mark in school history. KU finished the season ranked third in the final NFCA poll.

Kutztown's journey to the NCAA Division II Championship was no easy road as it endured many obstacles during the 2012 season. However, the Golden Bears' mentality to succeed allowed them to conquer every test that stood in their way.

“This is a special group and I'm very proud of the way the team did this season,” Kutztown University head coach Judy Lawes said. “We set a goal to get here and they did it. They're a great group of athletes and I believe that this experience will push them to get to this point again in the future. As a coach, this experience still hasn't sunk in yet. Coaches work so hard to get here and it's a great accomplishment for me, the university, the alumni, and the program.”

After the Blazers (57-5) took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning, the Golden Bears propelled a comeback that sliced VSU's advantage to 3-2. Kutztown connected four hits, with senior Heather Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) (Horsham, Pa./ Hatboro-Horsham) leading off with a double to left field. Junior Katie Lynch (Willow Street, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg) (Willow Street, Pa./ Lampeter-Strasburg) followed with a  single to right field. With Hannum on third, sophomore Samantha Derr (Lititz, PA/Warwick) (Lititz, Pa./ Warwick) recorded a RBI off a groundout to second base, allowing Hannum cut Valdosta's lead to 3-1. Junior Brianna Knipe (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) (Bethlehem, Pa./ Warwick) kept the rally going and singled to score Lynch. Sophomore Jackie Hetzler (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) (Turnersville, NJ/ Washingon Twp.) also singled to center field later in the inning.

KU's energy heading into the sixth inning was high until the Blazers tallied five runs off four hits, stretching its lead to 8-2.

Derr recorded the loss and ended her sophomore season with a 30-5 record. Her 30 wins are a single-season pitching record, along with her 0.89 ERA. Derr's effort in the circle this season has been one of the driving factors of Kutztown's successful year. Derr tallied 13 shutouts, which is tied first in KU's single-season records. Additionally, she was named the 2012 Daktronics Ron Lenz All-American Pitcher of the Year, Daktronics All-Atlantic Region and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Pitcher of the Year.

Seniors Kelly Fitzgerald (Upper Darby, PA/Archbishop Prendergast) (Upper Darby, Pa./ Archbishop Pendergast) and Hannum each recorded a hit in their final collegiate game. Fitzgerald who has only spent one season at KU, was named a Daktronics All-American honorable mention. Her 17 doubles and 71 hits are fifth and eighth on the KU single-season hitting records, respectively.

“I wasn't even supposed to have this year,” Fitzgerald said. “I just really want to thank the coaches for allowing me to come here. It's just a great feeling to know that we went out as hard as we could. I said this whole season that I wanted to end my career in Kentucky.  I'm proud of this team and the way we fought. When I look back at this year, I'll always think of happy memories.

Nicole Colineri (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) (Scotch Plains, NJ/ Scotch Plains-Fanwood) and Hannum have been four-year members of the Golden Bears and couldn't have picked a better way to end their senior year.

“It was a tough game and we gave it our all,” Colineri explained. “To make it to the NCAA championship and break records this year has really set a new tradition. It's a great achievement for the program and I wouldn't have wanted to go out any other way.”

“This is the greatest feeling,” Hannum explains about making it to the NCAA Championship. “Having this experience has been awesome, especially during our senior season.”

Kutztown's depth has also contributed to its efforts. It will return Kelly Strittmatter (Wyckoff, NJ/Indian Hills) (Wyckoff, NJ/ Indian Hills), Derr, Hetzler, and Lynch who were all named NFCA All-Atlantic selections.

If the Golden Bears continue to stick to “the formula” as Lawes likes to say, their dream season will continue and carry on into the 2013 season.

“I'll never forget this team,” Lawes said. “You never know if you're going to get that right chemistry in a team that can really take it to the next level, but this team was the perfect solution. They really believed in their abilities and they displayed it this season.”