KUTZTOWN, Pa. (April 21, 2011) – The Kutztown University baseball team returns from its eight-day layoff this weekend for its biggest conference rivalry of the season. The history between KU and West Chester University ensures for a heated four-game set, with playoff implications buzzing all around the two teams.
The Golden Bears' last Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division games were two weeks ago when they split with Mansfield. Friday marks the return to PSAC play for KU as it is set to host West Chester on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at North Campus Field. WCU will host Saturday's doubleheader, also scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.
The PSAC East couldn't be tighter in the final two weeks of the season with three of the top four spots separated by just one game. Kutztown (17-14 overall, 7-9 PSAC East) currently sits fifth in the division but could easily find itself in the top two or three after a successful series with West Chester (18-17, 8-10). KU has two conference series remaining this season and with the top four teams moving onto the PSAC Championships, its rivalry-driven series with the Golden Rams couldn't hold a larger importance.
Each school has won six PSAC championships including two in the last three years (KU-2008; WCU-2009). KU took three of four from WCU in the regular season in 2010, but took down the Golden Rams when it counted the most. KU beat West Chester twice in a row to win the NCAA Atlantic Region last year, sending KU to the National Baseball Championship. It has also made 10 consecutive postseason appearances, eight of which coming under head baseball coach Chris Blum.
Five seniors will face West Chester for the final time in their careers this weekend. Along with everyday players James Quigley (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) and Mike Dugan (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City), pitchers Jonathan Grosse (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Bluepoint), Trevor Rosenberg (Sweetwater, N.J./Oakcrest/George Mason) and Tyler Persun (Mount Joy, PA/Donegal) look to make an immediate impact this weekend in KU's push to the postseason. The quintet of student-athletes has prepared all they could over the last week and couldn't be more ready to take the field against WCU.
“I know every weekend in the PSAC is huge, but once our schedule was posted in the beginning of the season, it's the first weekend I looked at,” Grosse said. “This year especially, I couldn't wait to see what weekend we would be able to get a chance to play them. Both teams know they're going to get the best from the other team and it makes for a really fun series.”
Kutztown's lineup has proved to be able to put up runs at the drop a dime this year and is atop the PSAC in numerous offensive categories. The Golden Bears lead the conference in batting average (.330) and is second in hits (348), runs scored (246), doubles (66) and home runs (18).
A major contributor to the KU offense this season has been junior leftfielder Shayne Houck (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown). The reigning PSAC East Player of the Year has 10 home runs in 2011 and increased his career total to 34. Houck is currently second on the Kutztown all-time home run list and is three away from tying John Rozich with 37. Along with leading the PSAC this season, Houck is also ninth on the all-time PSAC leader board in homers.
Houck is batting .378 this season and has continued to produce at the plate in his new role at leadoff. Along with his ten round-trippers, the junior from Boyertown leads KU in slugging percentage (.757), runs scored (39), hits (42), runs batted in (36) and doubles (12). He also co-leads the team with Dugan in multi-hit games (15).
Cody Montz (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Schuylkill Haven) leads KU in hitting this season, holding a .391 average in his 29 games played. Montz, third in the PSAC in hitting, also has 21 RBIs and a team-high eight stolen bases.
Rounding out the top five in hitting is freshman Kyle Stoudt (Mertztown, PA/Brandywine Heights) (.368), Dugan (.354) and sophomore catcher Matt Albaugh (Hatfield, PA/North Penn) (.348). Albaugh takes a four game hitting streak into the West Chester series.
An important factor in deciding the outcome of this weekend's series will be the pitching consistency of the Golden Bears. KU has gotten the chance to showcase many of its experienced hurlers this year, and has also been able to give many of its transfers and incoming freshman innings of work on the mound.
Grosse and junior Trent Mertz (Kutztown, PA/Kutztown) have headlined the starting staff this season, collecting seven wins and 63 strikeouts between them. Grosse (2-3) holds a 3.93 ERA in seven starts and leads the team in innings pitched (36.2). Mertz has a team leading five wins on the season and has struck out a team-high 37 batters in 32.2 innings.
Freshmen Jason Henderson (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) and Colin Holmes (Ewing, NJ/Ewing) have seen numerous outings this year out of the bullpen and appear to give KU a solid future on the hill. Henderson currently holds a team-low 0.77 ERA in his seven appearances and has 12 strikeouts with just two walks. In his eight appearances, Holmes has allowed just eight hits in nine innings and is holding opposing hitters to a .250 average.
“There have been some major strides made in a couple of our younger guys this year,” Grosse said. “A lot of times, the reason we win is because of everything we do in-between games and in the offseason. For a bunch of the guys on our staff, I think they learned what needs to be done in order to get ready for a tough schedule and a long season.”
WCU currently sits in fourth in the PSAC East and will conclude its conference schedule next week against second-ranked Mansfield. The Golden Rams have been led by Joe Wendle at the plate. Wendle is batting .333 and has 29 RBIs with two home runs. John Barr (2-1) has thrown well for WCU off the mound and holds a 1.93 ERA in ten appearances. Barr also holds a nine game hitting streak at the plate.
Following the West Chester series, KU will host Chestnut Hill College in a non-conference battle on Tuesday, Apr. 26 at North Campus Field. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 1:00 p.m.
“The West Chester series is not like any other series,” Dugan said. With both teams fighting for their playoff lives, each matchup is as intense as it gets. Each game will be played aggressively and with a lot of heart. This series will be won by the team with the most guts and determination.”
--KU--
SOCIAL MEDIA ALERT: The Kutztown University Athletic Department would like to remind Golden Bear fans and followers there are many ways they can follow their favorite team. One can follow the Golden Bears via Facebook, SMS messages and weekly newsletters. One can also check out the photo galleries.
The Facebook page is a good opportunity for Kutztown fans to be updated through the social media. It is also a great chance for fans to show their support with comments and interaction.
Become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kutztown-University-Athletics/24879209924
SMS messages are a good way to get Kutztown news no matter where one is located. One can sign up to get news from any or every sport at Kutztown. Fans will receive final scores as well as special awards and honors earned by Golden Bear teams and student- athletes. Sign up at
http://www.kubears.com/member/sms_signup.aspx.
You can also get a weekly newsletter of Kutztown highlights delivered straight to your inbox by signing up at http://www.kubears.com/subscribe.aspx
Photos are available through photo galleries from the last two years at Kutztown. Simply go to http://www.kubears.com/photo_gallery.aspx and choose which sport one would like to view. Galleries are broken down by sports, seasons and games.
The Kutztown University sports information department hopes that everyone has enjoyed all of the new ways to keep up with their favorite team. The SID department hopes people will continue to take advantage of the great resources available.
