DRIFTON, Pa. –  The Mercyhurst University softball team suffered a 4-0 loss at the hands of the No.4 Kutztown University Golden Bears in its opening game at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament today, April 25.  The Golden Bears Samantha Derr pitched a three hit complete game shutout for her 26^th win of the season. 

The loss drops the Lakers to 24-24 overall this season while the Golden Bears are now 44-2 this season.

Kutztown broke a scoreless game in the fourth inning after Derr hit a two-run homer to right field.  The Golden Bears tacked on two more runs after solo shots by Heather Hannum and Morgan Booth.

Mercyhurst threatened in the fifth inning after senior Emily Redig led the inning off with a two-strike hit into right field.  Senior Andrea Sauers followed Redig's single with a walk putting two Lakers on with no outs in the inning.  The Golden Bears ended the threat after recording a strikeout and back-to-back fielder's choices keeping the Lakers scoreless.

The Lakers starting pitcher, Annie Truelove went four innings giving up three runs in the process.  The freshman allowed just four hits while striking out one Golden Bear.  Junior hurler, Megan Hopton came in for relief in the fourth inning allowing one run on five hits.  Derr, the Golden Bears ace fanned five Lakers while pitching a complete game shutout, her 10^th of the season.

Mercyhurst now gets set to take on West Chester University who lost their first game in the PSAC tournament to Indiana (Pa.) University, 4-1.  The Lakers and Golden Rams will fight to stay alive this afternoon at 4 p.m. on field two at the ASA of PA Jake Kislan Softball Complex in Drifton, Pa.  The loser of today's evening game will be eliminated from the tournament as the winner will play tomorrow, April 26 at 10 a.m. facing the loser of the Gannon University - Bloomsburg University game.

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