KUTZTOWN, Pa. (March 24, 2011) – Sophomores Matt Albaugh (Hatfield, PA/North Penn) and Todd Rubendall (Collegeville, PA/Methacton) savored the experience of participating in the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship last year in North Carolina. It was Kutztown's fifth trip to ultimate showcase since 2001.
The pair of catchers is determined to keep the Kutztown University baseball program's proud winning tradition alive. They were appreciative of the honor of representing the maroon-and-gold on the national stage.
The Golden Bears won 42 games last year, the most since 2007 when they won 49. KU graduated three starters, leaving some gaping holes in both the lineup and on the field. Albaugh and Rubendall are just two of the underclassman who has stepped up to the challenge on this year's team. The duo hasn't skipped a beat in acclimating themselves into the roster and are focused on the task of earning a return trip to the national spotlight.
“After being part of such a successful season last year, the ultimate goal is to continue the tradition and add to where the team left off,” said Rubendall. “I feel that hustling and working hard to get better will wear off on my teammates and make us better as a whole. Leading by example and always working hard is something I hope to do throughout the entire season.”
Albaugh and Rubendall both bring catching experience to the team and have each seen playing time this season. At one of the toughest fielding positions, these two have accepted the responsibility of replacing catcher Matt Kulbacki (Hershey, PA/Hershey) who graduated this past spring.
In his freshman season Albaugh split games at catcher, often playing in the second game of a scheduled doubleheader. He followed up his senior year at North Penn by batting .230 with two home runs, 15 runs scored and 22 RBIs, including a career best four RBIs in a victory over Washington Adventist on Mar. 24, 2010. Albaugh took every opportunity he could to work with Kulbacki and learn how to be a successful full-time catcher in one of the toughest conferences in Division II.
“Matt helped me out from day one to the last day of the season,” said Albaugh. “One of the most specific things Kulbacki helped me with was intensity and playing the game with fire and not letting the little stuff bother you. I got a tremendous amount of experience last year and I have to thank Matt and Coach Adam Schafer for continually helping me improve.”
If Albaugh came into 2011 with the personal goal to improve at the plate, you could say he passed it with flying colors just 18 games into the season. Albaugh currently holds a .304 batting average and is one of 10 Golden Bears batting over .300 this season. He has 14 hits, eight RBIs and is fifth on the team with five doubles. He also has five multi-hit games this season. In the field, Albaugh has thrown out four runners in his 16 games behind the plate.
“His biggest strengths are his ability to shut down a running game with his arm strength,” said head baseball coach Chris Blum. “It's comforting for pitchers to know they can focus a little more on the pitching and not get all tied up with worrying about keeping runners close to first.”
Albaugh and Rubendall do lead the team in one category they probably wish they could take back to save themselves some unnecessary injuries. They have been hit by a pitch 10 times this season, with Albaugh leading the team with six. Even though these HBPs haven't caused either player to miss time on the field, being a full-time catcher takes its toll and requires some time off every now and again.
Rubendall has not only filled in for Albaugh throughout the year, he has also seen playing time at shortstop and as the designated hitter. Rubendall brings a great amount of all-around talent to the Golden Bears and has become quite the five-tool utility player. With a combination of hitting for average, power, baserunning ability, throwing strength and fielding consistency, Rubendall gives KU a viable option at any position and has become an invaluable asset to the team.
“As a utility guy, I can help by giving Albaugh a break behind the plate, even though he's a tough guy and feels he could go without rest,” said Rubendall. “It also allows for other guys to get reps in different positions and allows me to fill in for them as a replacement. We have a great group of guys of this year's team and it brings some comic relief when I am referred to as the team 'tool' instead of 'utility guy'."
Coach Blum also sees the improvement Rubendall has shown over the past two years and acknowledges how much of an asset he is to the team.
“Todd is a huge asset to the team with his versatility,” said Blum. “He took some huge steps in the offseason in terms of his hitting and fielding. He was always solid in the field, but his hitting has come a long way in his approach at the plate and selection of pitches.”
Like Albaugh, Rubendall is coming off a fantastic 2010 season in which he batted .366 at the plate. In his 24 games, Rubendall had 15 hits, eight RBIs and three doubles. He also stole two bases in as many attempts.
This year, Rubendall has wasted no time in taking advantage of every opportunity he has. He is fourth on the team in batting average (.348), and is sixth in hits (16) and RBIs (10).
Having come to KU in the same year, these two have worked together and continued to push each other to get better. Each player brings their own skill set to the table and one of the greatest qualities they have shown is giving credit to each other. Albaugh admires the quick footwork Rubendall has behind the plate along with the ability to put the ball in play with tremendous accuracy. Rubendall knows of the outstanding arm strength Albaugh has and how he is able to contain runners on the base paths.
Kutztown now moves onto its second conference meeting of the season. It will host Shippensburg on Friday in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) matchup at North Campus Field beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Golden Bears dropped three of four to the Raiders last season, who have started their conference schedule off quite well. Ship is 10-12 this season and is coming off its series against Bloomsburg where it won three of four.
“After losing three of four to East Stroudsburg, many would think we should panic and worry,” said Rubendall. “However, we have a hard working, talented team who won't give up. We now see what we need to work on and get better at and we realize that we can't win them all, so it takes away some pressure. We just need to put the losses in the past and move forward.”
--KU--
