CALIFORNIA, PA (May 15, 2010) – All Katlin Arbogast (Ambler, PA/Wissahickon) wanted was another opportunity in the circle. She felt like she let her Kutztown University teammates down as she faced four batters and retired one of them in a five-run loss that dispatched the Golden Bears to Saturday's consolation round.
Armed with a second chance, a dazzling array of pitches and intense focus, Arbogast was large and in charge for the Golden Bears in a pair of dominating victories that extended their season. Arbogast was magnificent in helping Kutztown defeat a pair of West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVAIC) foes at California University's Lilly Field.
Her pitching performances were Jordan-esque as Kutztown shutout Fairmont State, 2-0, and Shepherd, 7-0, in a pair of NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional elimination games to advance to Sunday's Atlantic #2 regional final against host California (Pa.) starting at noon. (GAME 1 BOXSCORE) / (GAME 2 BOXSCORE)
The Golden Bears have to sweep to advance to next weekend's Super Regional. Arbogast dazzled and left the crowd speechless with her effort.
“She was huge for us today,” Kutztown softball head coach Judy Lawes said. “She was terrific and she had really good command of all of her pitches. I just told her before the game, 'there was nothing to be afraid of and just go get 'em.' She got off to a good start, got ahead of the hitters and threw her rise ball. She was definitely zoned in today.”
She struck out 13 batters in the opening game and came back a few hours later and added 11 more strikeouts to raise her career win total to 99. In addition, Arbogast reached a pair of nice round numbers as she notched her 100th career complete game and tossed her 30th career shutout. She has 1,026 strikeouts in a sterling career that reached its apex Saturday afternoon.
“Friday was rough but I had to put that behind me and focus on today because this could've been my last game and I am not ready to finish playing softball,” Arbogast said. “Friday's effort gave me more fuel to show up and help us win.”
Arbogast, who “was bringing heat like I've never seen before” according to assistant coach Don Justus, had plenty of help in each game.
In the second game against Shepherd, the Golden Bears bunched all of their runs over the second and third innings. Kutztown took advantage of the Rams' defense to score three runs in the second inning. Shepherd committed three runs in the second inning. The Golden Bears then put the game away by scoring four times in the third inning.
The big blow in that inning belonged to Arbogast's freshman roommate and fellow senior Maria Schiavo (Old Forge, PA/Old Forge), who delivered a bases clearing three-run single. Schiavo had two of Kutztown's five hits in the second game. Also recording hits for the Golden Bears were Katie Lynch (Willow Street, PA/Lampeter-Strasburg), Heather Hannum (Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) and Nicole Henninger (Reading, PA./Muhlenberg).
In the first game, Lynch smacked a first-inning home run and continued her mastery of the Fairmont State pitching staff.
Lynch provided Arbogast with the entire cushion she needed with her two-out homer. It was Lynch's second home run in four games against the Falcons this season. Kutztown finished the season 4-0 against Fairmont State.
“The pitch I hit was a ball,” Lynch said. “It was a low pitch and I was able to get to it and get it over the fence. I had faced this same pitcher earlier this year so I was familiar with her. With two outs, I was just looking to drive the ball and make something happen. Fortunately, it worked out for me and the team.”
--KU--
