KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The last time that the Kutztown University softball team played it was March 14, 2020, before a global pandemic shutdown the remainder of the season. March of 2021 looks to bring a return to competition for KU and the rest of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), itching to get back out on the field after nearly a year away from the sport.
 
The Golden Bears have not only missed playing the sport that they love, but there is also a sense of eagerness to continue the momentum they held when games were shutdown last year.
 
Kutztown was 11-2 during the month of March last season, and had won three games in-a-row, and seven of its last eight. With only two starters gone that played in at least half of the games last season, KU brings back much of its production and experience from a team that finished the year 15-7 overall.
 
Head coach Judy Lawes, entering her 34th season in charge, is just eight wins shy of 1,000 for her career. She would become the 39th coach all-time to reach that feat, and sixth all-time at the DII level.
 
"We're just happy it's here," Lawes said. "It just seemed like it would never happen, but we'll hopefully be playing here soon again. Everyone in the program is very excited. We thought that we were playing great softball towards the end of last season before it was shutdown. The girls are looking to keep it moving in the right direction in 2021."
 
Under the new format that takes place this season in PSAC softball, the league is split into an East/West divisional format. The East consists of Bloomsburg University, East Stroudsburg University, Kutztown University, Lock Haven University, Mansfield University, Millersville University, Shepherd University, Shippensburg University and West Chester.
 
Kutztown was picked second for the sixth year running and sits behind only nationally-ranked West Chester, which received six of the nine first-place votes. Kutztown garnered the remaining three votes.
 
"One of our main strengths is the power of our lineup," said Lawes. "We have been working a lot on hitting. It's been tough not getting to face live pitching since last spring, but they've been working hard at it and it may take some adjustment time."
 
Kutztown opens up its 2021 campaign with a two-day doubleheader at Millersville, beginning Friday, March 5. First pitch of game one of the season is set for 2:30 p.m.
 
PITCHING
 
Junior Bridget Bailey (Norwood, Pa./Interboro) will once again be looked upon as the work horse inside the circle. The 2019 PSAC East Freshman of the Year and All-PSAC pitcher appeared in 14 games last season, going 6-4 with a 2.33 ERA. The Norwood native finished with four saves, a program-record for saves in a season. She had seven complete games and led the team with a 1.18 WHIP, striking out 55 batters in 66 innings along the way.
 
Senior Ava Bottiglia (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) and junior Amber Brugger (Levittown, Pa./Neshaminy) are upperclassmen that will also contribute. Sophomore Sarah Harvey (Swanton, Vt./Missisquoi Valley Union) made five starts as a freshman, going undefeated at 4-0 with a 3.32 ERA in 31.2 innings pitched.
 
INFIELD
 
Senior Jenna Lipowski (Nanticoke, Pa./Greater Nanticoke Area), who has primarily played first base in her three years in Maroon and Gold, will be getting the nod at third base, taking over for Taylor Knappenberger (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland), who started almost 150 games at the hot corner in her career. In her last full season as a sophomore in 2019, Lipowski earned First Team NFCA All-Atlantic Region and All-PSAC East honors, along with D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team recognition. She started all 22 games last season, finishing with career-highs in batting average (.381) and homeruns (7).
 
Fellow senior, Alyssa Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Cumberland Regional), who is a utility infielder but mainly designated hitter, will team with Lipowski in the middle of the lineup and add the pop. Last year she enjoyed a breakout season offensively, tallying career-highs in seven different statistical categories. In 21 games, Donato finished with a .400 batting average, 26 hits, 11 runs, nine doubles, seven homeruns, 20 RBI and an .862 slugging percentage.
 
Junior middle infielder Kate Ostaszewski (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) was named to the All-PSAC East team as a freshman. She started all 22 games last season and had a .324 batting average in a team-high 74 at-bats. Sophomore Gillian Walsh (Easton, Pa./Easton) and freshman Hannah Reimel (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) will both get looks at second base.
 
Senior Zoe Texidor (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township) will be the primary first baseman. In 12 at-bats last season, she recorded a career-high .333 batting average.
 
KU's strongest depth comes behind the plate. Lawes believes that she can comfortably play multiple catchers and be successful.
 
Senior Hannah Auvil (Baltimore, Md./Sparrows Point) has the most experience and will get the first look. Last season Auvil started 13 games and had 11 hits, including two doubles and one homerun. She was second on the team with 63 putouts. Sophomore Brittany Hubler (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) hit the ground running in her first collegiate season catching. She started 13 games and finished with a .326 batting average in 43 plate appearances, including 14 hits, nine runs, six RBI and three homeruns.
 
Lawes is excited to see freshman Mya Zettlemoyer (Allentown, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) take live reps behind the plate and believes she can make a difference, while also playing in the outfield. Classmates Cameryn Feathers (Martinsburg, Pa./Central) and Maddie Fraley (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) will also be battling for playing time as catchers.
 
Freshman Haleigh Cattalo (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) will be utilized throughout the infield.
 
OUTFIELD
 
Seniors Alyssa Oakley (Allentown, Pa./Parkland) and Paola Texidor (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township) are the veterans of the group. Texidor started all 22 games, finishing with a .292 batting average in 24 at-bats. She had a career-best .971 fielding percentage. Oakley started in 10-of-14 games played last season, recording a .250 batting average in 28 at-bats.
 
Junior Sam Trafford (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks West), sophomore Hannah Ricles (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) and freshman Brianna Hughes (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) will provide depth in the outfield. Trafford also adds speed to the base paths and can be used to pinch run. She scored six runs and added two stolen bases last year.