SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. -- After winning 10 of its first 13 games and rising in the NCBWA Atlantic Region rankings each of the last three weeks, the Kutztown University baseball team came into this weekend's series against Shepherd looking to make another statement.

Instead, they must now reset and refocus following a four-game PSAC East sweep at the hands of the Rams. Shepherd's bats stayed hot, Saturday, as they recorded 33 runs on 30 hits in taking both ends of a doubleheader from the Golden Bears, 22-8 and 11-3.

The Maroon and Gold were unable to find a solution for Shepherd's potent lineup quiet all weekend, as they were outscored 56-20 in the series.

GAME 1
Shepherd 22, Kutztown 8

The Rams provided a preview of things to come by hitting a pair of solo home runs in the bottom of the first, but despite the lopsided final score, Kutztown remained in the hunt until a 14-run fourth by the hosts.

Kutztown closed within 2-1 in the top of the third. Connor Teschko (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional) walked to start the inning and moved into scoring position on Gavin Moretski's (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) single. Two batters later, Collin Bishop (Laurel Springs, N.J./Highland Regional) singled home the the Bears' backstop.

Shepherd again used the long ball to answer instantly with four runs in the bottom of the third. The Rams cranked three homers, including Caleb Walls' second of the game to extend its lead to 6-1.

A two-run single from Brandon Heere (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) and two-run double off the bat of Ethan Martini (Feasterville-Trevose, Pa./Father Judge) spearheaded a six-run fourth that put Kutztown on top. Antonio Rossillo (Warrington, Pa./Archbishop Wood) provided the go-ahead hit with a double to left that scored Bishop for a 7-6 Golden Bear lead.

The Maroon and Gold could barely enjoy the rally before Shepherd's bats came calling again. Walls doubled in two more runs, Daniel Keer belted his second home run --a 3-run shot-- and the Rams busted open a 20-7 lead with a 14-run inning that put the game out of reach.

Kutztown managed to score once more, in the top of the sixth, on a Bishop sacrifice fly that brought home freshman Joey Pettinelli (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown).

Martini was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Bishop and Heere were each 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored. Steve Wagner (Henderson, Nev./Boulder City) was saddled with the loss, falling to 1-1 on the season, though all four KU pitchers were hit hard in the contest.

Keer exploded for eight RBIs and all three of hits hits went for extra bases (two home runs, double). Walls was 3-for-3 with four RBIs and four runs scored, catcher Zach Doss was a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored and second baseman Tommy Gibson collected three hits and two RBIs.

In all, Shepherd registered 12 extra base hits (six home runs, six doubles).

GAME 2
Shepherd 11, Kutztown 3

Kutztown opened the scoring in the nightcap and was tied into the fourth inning before the Rams got to starting pitcher Gavin Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) and pulled away with eight runs over the fourth and fifth innings.

The first three batters reached base in the top of the second, but the Golden Bears regrettably got only one run out of it. Rossillo walked to start the inning and Zach Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) and Dominic Proietto (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) followed with singles. Mitchell Peers (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) put KU on top with a sacrifice fly, but Shepherd starter Nick Trabacchi got Mike Piscotty (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Hanover Area) to fly out and Pettinelli to strike out to end the threat.

Shepherd responded to getting out of the jam by tying the game in the bottom of the second when Keer scored on a wild pitch.

After two scoreless innings, the Rams brought across four runs in the bottom of the fourth on three hits and one error. Shepherd (7-5, 7-5 PSAC East) got a solo shot from Joey Schwartz and bases-clearing double from Walls to account for their runs.

A grand slam from Doss in the bottom of the fifth pushed the Rams' lead to 9-1.

The only offense KU (10-7, 5-7 PSAC East) would be able to muster up the rest of the game would be a solo blast by Rossillo in the sixth and a Pettinelli RBI groundout in the seventh.

Trabacchi scattered six hits over five frames and struck out four for the win, while Gavin Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) took his first loss. The Harleysville native gave up five runs on three hits and five walks, while fanning four.

Zach Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) and Proietto teamed up four four of KU's seven hits, both players finishing 2-for-3. Doss and Walls were 2-for-4 with four RBIs for victorious Shepherd.

ON DECK
Kutztown travels to East Stroudsburg Tuesday for a nine-inning non-conference affair at 3 p.m. The two teams won't play their PSAC East series until the weekend of April 16-17.