KUTZTOWN, PA (May 12, 2010) - The Kutztown University baseball team will look to exact its revenge on California (PA) University at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on Owls Field at Ted Palka Park in West Lawn. Fans can listen to complete coverage of the game by visiting the Atlantic Regional Central Page
The teams squared off in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship game on Sunday May 1st at Point Stadium. The Vulcans were 10-9 victors after a game winning bloop single fell into shallow right with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.
KU will be hosting their second straight regional tournament at Owls Field in West Lawn, this season as the No. 1 seed. The Golden Bears will also be looking to claim their fifth NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional championship in the past 10 years, the last one coming in 2007.
Mike Kacelowicz, Matt Kulbacki, Jared Frey, Ryan Cassidy and Mike Bucklin, who were all integral to the '07 run, will look to take the Golden Bears to Cary, North Carolina for the World Series.
“We definitely don't take making the regionals or winning for granted,” Frey said during a pre-tournament workout Wednesday morning. “Making regionals means a lot to me personally as a senior because I really want to go back to the World Series. It's a big deal for all of the seniors to get back to the regional. Making regionals was our main goal and now that we're here, we are focused on reaching the next level.”
Kacelowicz has flashed the leather all season at shortstop and currently has a .310 batting average. Kulbacki, who was second on the team in hitting in the '07 season, is currently hitting an even .300 with two homers and 19 RBIs. Frey made a living spraying line drives into the gap this season is batting .426 with five homers, 14 doubles and 46 RBIs.
Cassidy and Bucklin contributed to the KU pitching staff which has held opponents to just a .259 batting average. Cassidy is tied for third on the team with seven games started and has a 4.83 ERA, while Bucklin leads the team with seven wins.
Senior transfer Nathan Reed leads the staff with his 2.24 ERA, 59 strikeouts and 52.1 innings pitched. The ace is sporting 5-2 record, which includes a no hitter against Bloomsburg during the season. He shined in a win over Indiana (PA) in the conference tournament with 8.1 innings pitched and fanned 10 batters.
Sophomore Shayne Houck has posted out of this world numbers at the plate with a .480 batting average, 16 home runs, 70 runs scored and 71 RBIs, which are all single season bests at Kutztown. James Quigley has been a force in the batters box as well, hitting .404 with five homers and 46 RBIs.
“It's pretty much World Series or bust for us,” Kutztown junior Mike Dugan said. “Once you get into regionals, it's an even playing field and every team is going to be coming for everyone. We have to give our best effort in every game because as the No. 1 seed, we know teams are going to be coming for us. We're definitely motivated for our game against Cal.”
California enters the regional as the No. 6 seed after earning an automatic bid as the PSAC Champions. Outfielders Sam DiMatteo and Troy Handza are dual threats with their power and speed. DiMatteo is batting .407 with 11 homers, 51 RBIs and 42 stolen bases, while Handza is hitting .404 with 10 roundtrippers, 60 RBIs and has swiped 32 bases.
In the PSAC title game, DiMatteo went 3-for-4 with three runs scores and home run en route to being named the tournament MVP.
Randy Sturgill leads the pitching staff in wins (8), ERA (3.18), innings pitched (70.2) and strikeouts (86). Tyler Zimm, Nick Schreiber and Ryan Lavursky each have six wins have struck out more than 35 batters. Schreiber picked up the win against KU with 1.2 innings of relief.
Cal has won five straight and eight of its last 10 games. The Vulcans are third nationally in stolen bases (147) and stolen bases per game (3.06). Cal also defeated No. 2 seed West Chester and No. 5 Mansfield during its run to the PSAC title game.
Seton Hill and West Virginia State will be playing a conference championship rematch as well, with Seton Hill taking the WVIAC crown last Sunday. Seton Hill has won two consecutive matchups against West Virginia State. The loser of that game will take on the winner of the Kutztown-California game on Friday afternoon.
“For us to be successful this weekend, it's going to come down to the basics of what baseball fundamentals are,” Kutztown coach Chris Blum said. “We need to throw the ball over the plate, pick it up, catch it, run the bases, and do all of the little things especially against Cal. With Cal's speed, we can't afford to give away any free bases or outs.”
Owls Field is comprised of elevated terraces on both the right and left field lines, which is designed for “lawn chair” viewing. There are no bleachers in the stadium, so fans attending the tournament are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets for a comfortable view of the games.
Daily tickets are $5 for students and seniors, and $10 for adults. Tournament passes will be $15 for students and seniors, and $30 for adults. Children 6 years of age and younger will be admitted for free throughout the tournament. Children 7 years of age and older will be charged as students.
Owls Field is welcoming to left-handed batters with dimensions down the right field line at 305 feet. The field is 360 feet in left field, 385 in left-center, 415 in center and 375 in right-center. Click here for more information on Owls Field.
NCAA Atlantic Regional Game Schedule
Thursday, May 13
Game 2: (#2) West Chester vs. (#5) Mansfield – 11:00 AM
Game 1: (#1) Kutztown vs. (#6) California (PA) - 2:30 PM
Game 3: (#3) Seton Hill vs. (#4) W.V. State – 6:00 PM
*The NCAA allows the host institution to reserve the right to play at any of the scheduled times on the first day of play.
Friday, May 14
Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 – 11:00 AM
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3 - 2:30 PM
Game 6: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3 - 6:00 PM
*If four teams remain after game 6 – following schedule applies
Saturday, May 15
Game 7: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 - 11:00 AM
Game 8: Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 6 - 2:30 PM
Game 9: Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 7 - 6:00 PM
Sunday, May 16
Game 10: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 9 - 1:00 PM
Game 11: if necessary, same teams as in Game 10 - 4:30 PM
*If five teams remain after game 6 – following schedule applies
Saturday May 15
Game 7: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6 - 11:00 AM
Game 8: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 - 2:30 PM
Game 9: Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 7 - 6:00 PM
*If two teams remain after game 9 – following schedule applies
Sunday May 16
Game 10: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 9 – 1:00 PM
Game 11: if necessary, same teams as in Game 10 – 4:30 PM
*If three teams remain after game 9 – following schedule applies
Sunday May 16
Game 10: Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 9 – 1:00 PM
Game 11: Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10 – 4:30 PM
--KU--
