Golden Bears look to extend season on Friday afternoon

WEST LAWN, PA (May 13, 2010) - No. 1 seed Kutztown University will meet No. 5 seed Mansfield University in an NCAA Atlantic Regional consolation round game on Friday at 11 a.m. on Owls Field at Ted Palka Park. (Tournament Central)

Each team will be playing do-or-die games for the remainder of the regional tournament after falling in the opening round to fellow PSAC foes. The Golden Bears dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 contest to California University of Pennsylvania, while Mansfield dropped a 9-6 thriller with No. 2 seed West Chester University.

In the Mountaineers loss, shortstop Jon Taddeo went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, while Mike Hartz added two hits and an RBI. The Golden Bears' Mike Dugan (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City) had a 3 for 4 performance a runs scored, RBI and three stolen bases. Kutztown had its chance against Cal, but 14 runners left on base spelled doom for the Golden Bears.

“We need to score with men in scoring position and less than two outs. And we will,” said Blum. “I told the boys 'It's all about heart and guts.' We are built to come back through and win this.”

In the regular season, the Golden Bears outscored Mansfield 25-13, taking 3 of 4 games in late March. In the doubleheader hosted by Mansfield, Shayne Houck (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown) went 4 for 7 with four runs scored, seven RBIs and two home runs. The Mounties were paced by Kevin Miller's 5 for 7 effort with five RBIs and two home runs.

For the season, Mansfield has been led by Chris Coleman's .393 batting average and Matt Hamilton has a team high six home runs. The staff ace Bernard Johnson pitched in the tournament opener against West Chester, taking the loss after pitching all eight innings. Justin Garcia is has the second best ERA (4.97) and has compiled a 3-2 record in 50.2 innings of work.

With Nate Reed pitching in the Golden Bears opener, head coach Chris Blum has a variety of viable options to use. Left-hander Jonathan Grosse (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Bluepoint) or right-handers Adam Maini (Macungie/Emmaus, PA) and Tyler Persun (Mount Joy, PA/Donegal) will be the most likely candidates to go for the Golden Bears.

The loser of the game will be sent packing, while the winner will play on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. against the loser between West Chester and either Seton Hill or West Virginia State.

--KU--

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