PEMBROKE - Kutztown scored a pair of runs on four UNCP errors and got a fourth inning home run from Heather Hannum en route to a 3-1 victory in the season opener for both teams on Friday afternoon at LRA Field.

UNCP (0-1) got three hits apiece from Kristen Hobbs (3-for-3) and freshman Megan Hillard (3-for-4), with Hillard tallying the only RBI for the Lady Braves on a single in the third inning. Kutztown (1-0) got base hits from five different players.

Senior Jamie Burwell (0-1) struck out four and allowed three runs (one earned) over a complete game to take the loss for the Lady Braves. Samantha Derr (1-0) surrendered nine hits, but struck out three and yielded one earned run to grab the win for the Golden Bears.

"Aside from three of our nine starters, we had completely new people in completely new positions, and I do talk that up to most jitters and I don't expect to see that performance tomorrow," said head coach Lacinda Melanson. "I am very pleased because both Hillard and Hobbs did a great job when we were really struggling to get some quality hits."

Kutztown scored a first-inning run on two UNCP errors, but the Lady Braves knotted things back up in the third on the two-out single by Hillard. Hannum's solo homer with two outs in the fourth gave the visitors the lead for good, but Kutztown scored an insurance run on another UNCP error in the top of the seventh inning.

UNCP and Kutztown will finish out their weekend series on Saturday at LRA Field. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m.

To watch the full game click PART 1 or PART 2.