MILLERSVILLE, Pa -- Kutztown baseball drops both games in a doubleheader at Millersville University on Tuesday afternoon. The Marauders completed the sweep of the opening Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division series after winning game one on Friday at Kutztown, 3-2, before weather postponed the doubleheader originally scheduled for Saturday.
Game One - Millersville 7, Kutztown 3
Both offenses were held scoreless through the first two frames, both teams managing one hit in the second but could not bring the run across the plate. In the bottom of the third, Millersville took over the lead after its first two batters reached base safely to start the inning. With one out and runners on second and third Bren Taylor gave the Marauders a three-run lead on a home run over the right field wall.
The Golden Bears responded in the top of the fourth, leading off the inning with two singles from Brandon Heere (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) and Mike Piscotty (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./Hanover Area). Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Joey Pettinelli (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) and the Maroon and Gold offense was threatening with two runners in scoring position and only one out. Gavin Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) doubled down the left field line, bringing in Heere and moving Piscotty up to third. Both base runners would score on a single to center field by Ethan Martini (Trevose, Pa./Father Judge) tying the game at 3-3.
Millersville retook the lead in the bottom-half of the inning, with runners on second and third with one out. One runner came in to score on a single up the middle, moving the man on second to third. The Golden Bears benefited on a rare base running mishap by the Marauders as they doubled up Sam Morris and Jimmy Losh, after Losh flew out to center field and Morris left too early when trying to tag up and score.
The Marauders extended their lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs on four hits in the inning. Kutztown managed to get its leadoff man on base in six of the seven innings but could not capitalize on their opportunity.
Moretski led the Golden Bear offense with two hits and a walk in four plate appearances. His brother, Zach Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.), also reached base safely three times, drawing two walks and had one hit.
Abel Saft (Kintnersville, Pa./Moravian Academy) is tagged with the loss for Kutztown, Christian Wingard gets the win and is now 2-0 on the season for Millersville.
Game Two - Millersville 14, Kutztown 3
Millersville's offense could not be stopped in game two of the doubleheader, managing to score in all but two innings. The Kutztown pitching staff had difficulty settling into a groove with seven different pitchers making an appearance in the game, with only one throwing more than one inning.
The Marauders jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead in the first three innings, five of their runs coming in the bottom of the third. The Golden Bears would get a run of their own in the top of the fourth inning, with two runners on base and one out in the inning, Jimmy Kerley (Indian Trail, N.C./Sun Valley) singled down the left field line. Driving in Gavin Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) for the Maroon and Gold's first run of the game.
Millersville's lead continued to grow in the bottom half of the inning, Sam Morris's two run shot to left center extended their lead to 11-1.
After a scoreless fifth inning, Kutztown's offense managed to muster up another two runs without a hit in the inning. The first two batters reached base safely after being walked, eventually to move into scoring position on a wild pitch. Brennan Rozich (Oxford, Pa./Oxford) came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Heere. After an error by the Marauders the bases were loaded again for the Golden Bears. Cole Regn (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional) managed to draw a walk, bringing in Kutztown's third and final run.
Millersville capped off their win with a two run home run to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning to extend their lead to 14-3. Gavin Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) takes the loss for the Golden Bears now 2-3 on the year. Nate Young gets credited with the win for the Marauders and improved to 2-0.
Kutztown will be back in action against PSAC East opponent Lock Haven, at home Friday, March 18, at 2:00 p.m.
