WILSON, NC (February 5, 2011) – The Kutztown University baseball team scored 10 runs in the third inning, fueling it to a 17-4 victory over Barton College in the second game of its doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Fleming Stadium.  KU dropped its first game 4-3 in eight innings. (GAME 1 BOXSCORE)  (GAME 2 BOXSCORE) 

The Golden Bears (1-1 overall) came into Saturday's games ranked in the top 10 in three national polls.  KU is ranked fifth by PING! Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), and ninth by Collegiate Baseball.  They are also ranked first in the Atlantic Region by the NCBWA. 

Even though it faced a tough extra-inning loss in game one, Kutztown's veterans responded in the second game with some offensive firepower.  KU's epic third inning got going after James Quigley (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) hit a two-run double to center field, scoring Kyle Stoudt (Mertztown, PA/Brandywine Heights) and Corey Buletza (St. Clair, PA/Pottsville).  The onslaught of hits for Kutztown began there, as Mike Dugan (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City) was able to bring his teammate in with a single up the middle.  Cody Montz (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Schuylkill Haven) and Shayne Houck (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown) also had two RBI hits capping off a six-hit, 10-run inning. 

Kutztown wouldn't stop there as it scored seven runs in the fourth inning.  Quigley added to his RBI total, hitting a three-run homer over the right field fence.  He ended the day with three hits and five RBI's. 

“We saw a lot of good things today,” said Quigley.  “We battled hard and it was great to see the team have such a high morale after the tough loss in the first game.  It's a great confidence boost for me to start the year off on a good note, and with Houck and Dugan ahead and behind me in the lineup, it really takes the pressure off of me.”

The trio of Houck, Quigley and Dugan make up the heart of the lineup of this year's team and accounted for 10 hits and nine RBI's Saturday.  Having these three continue to put up productive numbers will play a significant role in KU's success this season. 

Tyler Persun (Mount Joy, PA/Donegal) earned the win for Kutztown, allowing just two runs over four innings. 

Buletza also had an impressive opening day in his senior season.  He hit a two-run single in the fourth inning to give him four RBI's on the day.  Buletza finished with three hits. 

KU's loss in game one was a tough one to say the least, but the Golden Bears proved it wouldn't stop them from winning the nightcap.  After a 1-1 tie through seven innings, Kutztown scored two runs in the top of the eighth off a walk and a sacrifice fly from Stoudt.  Unfortunately for KU, Barton would respond with three runs of their own to close out the game. 

Senior Jonathan Grosse (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Bluepoint) pitched well for Kutztown in game one as he allowed just two hits in 5.1 innings while striking out seven.  He threw 81 pitches.

KU returns to action tomorrow to compete in the second half of the weekend doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m.

--KU--