LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Kutztown University baseball wins its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division series, taking game one of Sunday's doubleheader 5-4 at Lock Haven University. The Bald Eagles rebounded in game two winning 8-1 and stopping the Golden Bears from pulling off a series sweep.
Game One - Kutztown 5, Lock Haven 4
The Maroon and Gold struck first, scoring three runs in the top of the third inning on three hits. Mike Kelly (Schwenksville, Pa./Pope John Paul II) led off the inning with a single to center field, one batter later Mitchell Peers (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) followed up with a single of his own. With two outs in the inning Antonio Rossillo (Warrington, Pa./Archbishop Wood) was hit by a pitch loading the bases for Kutztown. Zach Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) cleared the bases with a double to right field, putting the Golden Bears ahead 3-0.
The Bald Eagles scored one run in the bottom of the third, bringing Kutztown's lead to 3-1. In the top of the fifth inning, Kutztown threatened to score again with runners on the corners and two outs in the inning. Brandon Heere (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) singled down the left field line driving in the runner from third, extending the Bears lead back to three.
Lock Haven tied the game up in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs on three hits and a Golden Bear error in the inning. After retiring the lead off batter, the next three Lock Haven hitters reached base safely, all of which came in to score. Kutztown managed to get the third out with the game tied at four leaving the bases loaded for Lock Haven.
After a clean seventh and eighth inning, Kutztown retook the lead in the top of the ninth scoring one run on one hit in the inning taking advantage of an error by the Lock Haven defense. Kelly started off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a ground out by Gavin Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.). One batter latter Jimmy Kerley (Indian Trail, N.C./Sun Valley) singled to left field, Kelly would come in to score after the left fielder misplayed the ball, giving Kutztown a 5-4 lead.
Jake Skrocki (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford) closed out the last 3.1 innings of the game, holding Lock Haven scoreless and earning the win for the Golden Bears. Dominic Proietto (Norristown, Pa./Norristown) started the game on the bump for Kutztown throwing 5.1 innings, giving up four runs, only two earned, while striking out five in the process. Jared Colledge took the loss for Lock Haven, falling to 1-1 on the year.
Game Two - Lock Haven 8, Kutztown 1
After securing the series win in game one Kutztown looked to complete the sweep over the Bald Eagles in the nightcap of the doubleheader. The Golden Bears jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. Kerley walked to get Kutztown started with one out already in the inning. Kerley then came in to score on a single by Peers that was mishandled by the left fielder. Peers advanced to second on the error. Kutztown took a 1-0 lead.
Lock Haven wasted no time evening things back up in the bottom half of the inning. After a lead off walk, Gavin Troutman came in to score on a double through the left side by Jake Mastillo.
The Bald Eagles scored in the first four innings extending their lead to 6-1 after Mastillo hit a two run homerun to center field. The Golden Bears managed a clean fifth inning, but Lock Haven scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on three hits.
Kutztown was unable to bring any runners across the plate after the first inning. The Maroon and Gold finished the game with five hits from four different players. Kerley led the way with two hits and the only extra base hit for Kutztown in the game. Peers, Rossillo and Colt Narciso (Norristown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) added to the hit total, with one hit a piece.
Gavin Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) took the loss for Kutztown, throwing four innings giving up nine hits and six runs in the effort. Moretski is now 0-2 on the season. Kevin Worek gets credited for the win, improving to 3-2 on the season.
The Golden Bears are back in action at home against Lincoln University on Tuesday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m.
