LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – A Brittany Muthard (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) solo shot to left centerfield in the top of the 11th inning proved to be the difference, as the No. 2 Lock Haven University softball team (46-5) downed No. 11 Kutztown University (46-12-1) 2-1 in 11 innings to win the 2009 NCAA Division II Atlantic Super Regional.

The Lady Eagles downed KU 1-0 in nine innings yesterday and won the best-of-three series 2-0 to claim the region crown and earn a spot in next week’s NCAA D-II Softball College World Series in Salem, Va.

Today’s game between two of the nation’s top team proved to be an epic battle throughout.

Lock Haven, who was playing as the visitor quickly found itself in a hole, down 1-0.

Kutztown’s Steph Denlinger hit a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the first inning to put the Golden Bears up 1-0.

Lock Haven tied the game in the top of fourth after senior Julia Popovich (Lemont, Pa./State College) singled, driving in fellow senior Erica Eisenbise (Wernersville, Pa./Wilson).

Popovich had a solid outing, as she went 3-for-5 at the plate and Eisenbise went 2-for-5.

The next 6.5 innings didn’t produce a run.

In the top of the 11th however, Muthard provided all the fireworks Lady Eagle fans needed, as she drilled a solo home run over the left-centerfield fence.

Muthard was 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Kristin Erb (Reading, Pa./Exeter Township), Lock Haven’s ace went the distance to record the win. Over 11 innings of action, she scattered just six hits and only gave up the one run. Erb struck out two and walked two.

Lock Haven’s two runs came off nine hits and the Lady Eagles committed one error. Kutztown only had one run on six hits, but the Golden Bears didn’t make an error.

The NCAA D-II Softball College World Series kicks off next Thursday, May 21 in Salem, Va.