Box Score



Kutztown 5, Lock Haven 4 (HTML Box Score)
 
HAMPTON, Va. – Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the eighth, the Kutztown University baseball team rattled off four runs and quickly retired the side in the top of the ninth to secure the 5-4 victory over Lock Haven University on the final day of the Builder Invitational.
 
Kutztown got the ball rolling in the first inning, scoring off an error by the center fielder with two runners on.
 
After Kutztown (4-1) led 1-0 for the first seven innings, Lock Haven (3-2) put the Golden Bears up against the wall by putting up four runs in the seventh and eighth innings. KU responded with the next opportunity, scoring four runs of its own to regain the lead.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Brandon Cholish (Peckville, PA/Valley View (Lackawanna)) singled to right field with two runners on, loading the bases. Brandon Martinez (Lansdale, PA/North Penn) was then walked, bringing Ricky Gorrell (Royersford, PA/Spring-Ford) across the plate. Kyle Stoudt (Mertztown, PA/Brandywine Heights) hit a two-run single to right field, advancing Martinzez to third and tying the score at 4-4. Brady McNab (Hatboro, PA/Archbishop Wood (Frederick CC)) brought the winning run across the plate, sending a sacrifice fly out to left field, allowing Martinez to make it home.
 
The Bald Eagles had one last shot in the top of the ninth, but Matt Swarmer (Mohnton, PA/Governor Mifflin) only gave up one single and quickly retired the side.
 
Stoudt was the only Golden Bear with a multi-hit day, going 3-for 5 with two RBI. John Dockins (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson (Frederick CC)) was walked three times and scored twice without a hit. Catcher Derian Sarlat (Reading, PA/Exeter Township) hit a double with his only at-bat, and led the team with seven put outs.
 
Colin Holmes (Ewing, NJ/Ewing) pitched the first 6.2 innings with two earned runs and five strikeouts. Swarmer closed out the game to earn the win, striking out two along the way. Lock Haven featured four pitchers throughout the contest, with Zach Hawk receiving the loss.
 
Both teams totaled 10 hits during the affair, but Lock Haven's 3-1 error disadvantage proved costly for the Bald Eagles. KU still managed the victory with 14 runners left on base, compared to just eight for LHU.
 
KU had already bested Lock Haven 8-6 on Thursday to kick off the tournament and commence the regular season with a win.

Stoudt was named the tournament MVP. He batted .529 with a team-leading nine hits while starting four games, one on the mound. Cholish was named to the all-tournament team for his .421 average and seven runs scored, along with Drew DeShong (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle Antrim (Hagerstown CC)) (.353 BA) and Corey Snyder (Lincoln University, PA/Avon Grove) (5.0 shutout innings vs. Briarcliffe).
 
Kutztown will have almost three weeks off until returning to the field. On Friday Mar. 14, KU will square off against Dominican College at Provident Bank Park in Pomona, N.Y. The following day, the two squads will rematch on North Campus Field in Kutztown.