KUTZTOWN, Pa. (March 19, 2011) – This time last year, Trent Mertz (Kutztown, PA/Kutztown) had to sit and watch his team enter the conference portion of its schedule from the dugout after experiencing a season-ending injury early in the season. Mertz kept a positive attitude throughout his rehabilitation and now, finds himself as one of the top throwers on this year's team.
Mertz, along with fellow upperclassman James Quigley (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem), helped the Kutztown University baseball team split its opening Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division games against East Stroudsburg University Saturday afternoon in its home opener at North Campus Field. (GAME 1 BOXSCORE) (GAME 2 BOXSCORE)
The junior right-hander had a career game in KU's 4-3 victory in game one. Mertz threw his first ever complete game Saturday and allowed just one earned run on his way to his team-leading third win of the season. He struck out 11 ESU hitters while allowing seven hits and walking three. His 11 strikeouts and seven innings pitched were both career highs.
Kutztown (11-7 overall, 1-3 PSAC East) entered Saturday's doubleheader ranked 20th in the official Division II Collegiate Baseball rankings and 10th by College Baseball Lineup. The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) also ranks the Golden Bears second in the Atlantic Region, one spot above opponent East Stroudsburg. The Golden Bears arrived at North Campus Field Saturday morning looking to avenge its pair of losses on Friday, and starting off with a win in game one was the first step.
“After dropping two yesterday, we knew it was big to come out early and shut them down,” said Mertz. “I felt a little pressure in the first inning but after I got going, I went right after their hitters and was able to get some outs. It feels good to help the team get the win.”
This wasn't the first time this season Mertz achieved individual accomplishments. In KU's 6-3 win over Concord University on Mar. 7, Mertz struck out eight batters in six innings of work. These were both career highs for Mertz at the time.
Quigley helped his pitcher the best way he knew how on Saturday. In the bottom of the first inning, Quigley sent a ball over the left field fence, scoring teammate Shayne Houck (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown) and giving KU an early 2-0 lead. Both hitters lead the team with two home runs apiece.
The duo of Houck and Quigley teamed up again in the third inning with back-to-back doubles. Quigley, batting behind Houck in the lineup, connected for his third RBI of the day and moved into second on the team with 15 behind freshman Kyle Stoudt (Mertztown, PA/Brandywine Heights) (17). Quigley had been 1-for-9 in his last three games and couldn't be happier to start PSAC play on a positive note.
“It feels great,” said Quigley. “I know I've been struggling lately and to come out here today and help us get the win feels great. We all know it's a long season and the talent our team has will show, but it definitely felt good to get some good swings in today.”
Quigley now has 41 doubles and 13 home runs in his career at Kutztown. KU dropped a 7-2 decision in game two as Quigley nearly saw his second home run of the day go over the left field fence in the fifth inning. With two on and two out, Quigley connected on a fastball and sent a line drive over the left fielder's head and into the fence, scoring Cody Montz (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Schuylkill Haven). With maybe a slight heavier breeze Saturday afternoon, Quigley's double could of turned into a home run and bringing the Golden Bears within two runs of the Warriors.
ESU (16-4, 3-1) won the series between the two schools this weekend for the first time since 2000 and got some top performances from some of its key players. Colin Kelly earned the win in Saturday's nightcap, throwing five innings and allowing one earned run. Outfielder Chris Knott went 4-for-6 in Saturday's games and knocked in two RBI's.
Opening the PSAC season with some losses is nothing KU can't overcome. Just look at last season. The Golden Bears dropped three of their first four conference games to Shippensburg in 2010 and ended up competing at the Division II College World Series. KU was picked as the favorite in the Eastern Division of the PSAC baseball preseason poll and knows season's aren't made or broken in the opening weekend.
“As a team, I think that we need a little more fine tuning here and there and we will be right where we need to be,” said Quigley. “We have a great team this year and our talent is going to come through. We lost our opening games last year and look where we ended up. I'm not worried about it and I feel good about our chances in the conference this year.”
Kutztown returns to action next weekend as it hosts Shippensburg University on Friday, Mar. 25 for a PSAC contest. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. East Stroudsburg will host Lincoln University on Tuesday, Mar. 29.
--KU--
