KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Mercyhurst University softball was swept today, April 7 by Kutztown University at North Campus Field.  The fifth ranked team in the country shutout the Lakers in game one, 7-0 before over powering them 10-4 in the second game.
 
The sweep dropped the Lakers to 21-18 on the season as they remain 4-4 in PSAC West conference play.  The Golden Bears improve to 36-1 this season with the sweep. 
 
Samantha Derr of Kutztown earned her 19^th win of the season after holding the Lakers scoreless through seven innings.  Mercyhurst registered just three hits in the loss.  Kutztown posted four one-run innings and during the third inning they plated three runs.   Freshman Annie Truelove was credited with the loss after pitching six innings.  She gave up seven runs while walking just one and striking out five.
 
In game two the Lakers jumped out to a 3-0 lead scoring one run in the second inning before pushing two across in the third.  Senior Emily Redig reached base in the second inning after an error by the Golden Bears third baseman.  Redig later scored on another error made by Kutztown.  In the third inning freshman Shaina Bunker ripped a single to right field kick starting a two-run inning.  A few batters later Redig hit a two-run homer putting the Lakers up, 3-0.
 
The Golden Bears charged back in the bottom of the frame plating three runs to tie game two at three apiece.   In the fourth inning Kutztown exploded four five runs on five hits.  During the fifth inning the Lakers managed a run but that would be all the scoring Mercyhurst would do for the remainder of the game. 
 
Derr earned her 20^th win of the game and second win of the day, pitching four and two-thirds innings giving up eight hits and just one run.  Senior Kristi Janoske took the loss in four innings of work.  Janoske gave up seven earned runs on nine hits.
 
Mercyhurst will return back to PSAC West action this Tuesday, April 10 when they host Edinboro University at 2:30 p.m.  In their first meeting this season the Lakers swept the Fighting Scots by scores of 9-5 and 13-3.