Photo Gallery (courtesy of David Brown)KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The Kutztown University baseball team split its Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) doubleheader against No. 11 East Stroudsburg University, capped by a 6-1 win in game two on Thursday afternoon. ESU took game one earlier in the day, 13-0.
The Golden Bears (11-14, 2-4) used a six-run second-inning to propel itself to victory in game two, highlighted by an
Alec O'Dell (Edgewood, Md./West Chester Bayard Rustin (Harford C.C.)) two-run home run. Kutztown took advantage of two errors that scored three runs, an RBI-single by
Brady McNab (Hatboro, Pa./Archbishop Wood (Frederick C.C.)) and the O'Dell homer to jump out to a 6-0 lead.
It turned out to be all KU needed.
The duo of
Mike Kammerer (Allentown, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) and
Eric Lane (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) combined to allow just four hits to ESU's second-ranked offense in Division II.
Kammerer (1-2, 2.82 ERA) turned in a strong-start, going the first 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and having eight strikeouts. Lane (0-1, 1.86) came in and retired every batter over the final 2.2 innings to seal the victory.
The win snapped a school-record 11-game winning-streak for ESU (21-3, 5-1 PSAC).
O'Dell finished game two 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. McNab went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Eppley,
Bo Rottet (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua),
Joe Santospago (Doylestown, Pa./Archbishop Wood (Mercer County C.C.)), and
Kevin Sell (Mertztown, Pa./Brandywine Heights) all added runs.
The Warriors jumped out to a quick lead in game one, scoring six runs in the top of the second and never looked back during their 13-0 win.
Matt Festa (6-0) threw a complete-game shutout. He allowed just three hits while striking out six.
Jay Young led ESU's offense, finishing the day 3-for-3 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Casey Saverio went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
The two teams won't have to wait long to face each other again. The Golden Bears complete the season series with a road doubleheader against East Stroudsburg on Saturday, March 24 at Mitterling Field. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1 p.m.
