GAME 1 BOXSCORE
GAME 2 BOXSCORE
KUTZTOWN, Pa. (April 22, 2011) – Jonathan Grosse (Bayport, NY/Bayport-Bluepoint) and J.R. Seader (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway/ Maryland-Baltimore County) took advantage of the eight-day stint between games to rest up and stay healthy. Grosse and Seader both earned victories as the Kutztown University baseball team won a pair of games against West Chester University in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) doubleheader Friday afternoon at North Campus Field.
Grosse picked up the win in the opener as KU won 3-2. Seader threw six innings in the nightcap as KU rolled to a 6-1 victory.
Kutztown (19-14 overall, 9-9 PSAC East) won the opening two games of a series for the first time this season and it couldn't have came at a better time. With Friday's wins, the Golden Bears move back into the crucial top four spots in the PSAC Eastern Division. KU is currently third in the division after booting West Chester (18-19, 8-12) out of the top four and into fifth place.
“We finally were able to pitch well, play defense well and we came through with some clutch hitting and when you get those three combinations, you're usually going to come out on top,” head baseball coach Chris Blum said. “Hopefully we can keep the momentum going tomorrow.”
Grosse was one out away from his second complete game of the season but wouldn't let the late pitching change break his spirits. Grosse had an outstanding day on the mound to say the least, throwing 6.2 innings while allowing four hits and just one earned run. Grosse had two strikeouts Friday and entered the seventh inning holding the Golden Rams to just one hit.
“I felt awesome today,” Grosse said. “I felt really comfortable on the mound and was able to get in front of a lot of batters. At the beginning of the year, I highlighted this game on the schedule and it feels awesome to have gone out and helped our team get a big rivalry win.”
Grosse won his third game of the season Friday and lowered his ERA to 3.53. A major reason for the late success he has had has been due to his continued effort on getting ahead of hitters. Grosse admits struggling at the beginning of this season in this department, so he went back and looked at what he did well in 2010 and remained confident he could work his way back to the top. Putting in the extra work has paid off for the senior as he is currently first on the team in innings pitched (43.1), second in strikeouts (28) and wins (three).
Seader had the tough task of following up Grosse's opening-game gem, but passed with flying colors. In his six innings on the mound, Seader struck out five WCU hitters, allowed five hits and one earned run.
The recent incoming-transfer has had to work his way into the starting rotation for KU and seems to have found his way into Blum's top four. Seader has thrown 25.1 innings this year and lowered his ERA to 4.91. The sophomore also holds a 19-4 strikeout to walk ratio.
“J.R. has been waiting for his chance and he really proved himself out there today,” Blum said. “He works his tail off in practice, throws extra bullpen sessions and he is making me look really good right now.”
Seniors James Quigley (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) and Mike Dugan (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City) each had three hits Friday and combined for five of the six RBIs in the nightcap. Quigley went 3-for-3 in Friday's second game, raising his season average above .300 (.301). Quigley is one of nine KU hitters batting above .300 this season.
Dugan had his team-leading 16th multi-hit game of the season in the opener, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. The senior now holds a team-high four game hitting streak.
Also with 16 multi-hit games is junior Shayne Houck (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown). Houck had two hits Friday with an RBI and three runs scored in the nightcap.
The Golden Bears conclude its season series with the Golden Rams Saturday in hopes of sweeping their first series of the 2011 season. The doubleheader is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
“I feel our upperclassmen have done a great job at taking control of the younger guys and keeping a positive mindset,” Blum said. “The upperclassmen have been through some adversity before and we've always seemed to find a way through it. We're still far from getting through it, but at least today we took a step in the right direction.”
--KU--
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
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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 theirfavorite team. The SID department hopes people will continue to take advantage of the great resources available.
