Strong offensive effort carries KU to win in season opener

HAMPTON, VA (February 18, 2010) - The Kutztown University baseball team had a strong offensive effort as they took the diamond for the first time in 2010 with an 11-7 non-conference win over Lock Haven at the Builder Invitational. (Boxscore)

The Golden Bears began defense of the tournament title, as they have won five straight and nine of the last 12. Despite Lock Haven and Bloomsburg being fellow Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) oppenents, the results do not count toward division standings.

Shayne Houck, James Quigley and Jared Frey provided the offense, combining for nine hits and 10 runs batted in. The trio each recorded three hits, mostly for extra bases.

Houck, the reigning PSAC East Rookie of the Year, picked up where he left off last year with three runs scored, three RBIs and two doubles. All of Quigley's hits went for extra bases, highlighted by a first inning RBI triple. He finished with a team-high four RBIs. Frey, last season's RBIs leader, finished with two.

Senior Mike Kacelowicz, who switched from second base to shortstop, notched the other Golden Bear RBI.

The pitching staff held the Bald Eagles to only four hits, however there were signs of rust in the season's first outing. The Golden Bear hurler's issued 17 walks, which all contributed to Lock Haven's seven runs.

Staff ace Adam Maini went the first three innings, giving up two runs and one hit while striking out three. Nathan Reed earned the win in his Kutztown debut with 2 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out three and gave up only one hit.

Freshman Tom Neely took the hill with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless ball with a team-high five strikeouts. Neely worked out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth inning with a strike out followed by a fly to right.

Host the Apprentice School, who fell 16-13 to Bloomsburg earlier on Thursday, will square off with the Golden Bears at noon on Friday.

--KU--

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