KUTZTOWN, Pa - Zach Moretski's (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) grand slam pushed the Kutztown University baseball team ahead late in game two, splitting the doubleheader against the University of the Sciences Wednesday afternoon in non-conference action. After a back and forth offensive battle that ended in favor of the Devils in game one, the Maroon and Gold needed to bounce back in the nightcap.
Game One - USciences 13, Kutztown 9
The University of the Sciences took the lead early scoring three runs in the first two innings on four hits. The Golden Bears answered in the bottom of the second, bringing five runs across to score in the inning. Kutztown took advantage of four walks in the inning, in addition to its three hits. Gavin Moretski's (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) single up the middle with the bases loaded drove in the Golden Bears' first two runs of the competition. Two more runs came in to score on singles by Zach Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) and Antonio Rossillo (Warrington, Pa./Archbishop Wood). Ethan Martini (Trevose, Pa./Father Judge) drove in the fifth run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to left.
The Golden Bears extended their lead to 6-3 in the bottom of the third. After singling to lead off the inning, Colt Narciso (Norristown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) came in to score on a double over the left fielder's head off the bat of Gavin Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.).Â
The Devils score one run in the top of the fourth with two hits in the inning and two more in the fifth on a home run to left by Louis Fresta, tying the game at six.
In the bottom half of the inning, Kutztown answered by loading the bases and driving in two runs on ground balls from Mitchell Peers (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) and Martini retaking an 8-6 lead.
Sciences managed to tie the game again in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs on two hits.
The Golden Bears scored another run in the bottom of the sixth on a single to center by Mike Kelly (Schwenksville, Pa./Pope John Paul II). Kutztown was unable to stop the Devils in the seventh allowing five runs on four hits in the inning, eventually losing 13-9.
Dalton Geiger (Leesport, Pa./Schuylkill Valley) takes the loss for Kutztown, falling to 0-3 on the season. Eli Agostini earned the win in relief for USciences, improving to 1-0 on the year.Â
Game Two - Kutztown 9, USciences 6
The Devils took another lead early in game two, scoring three runs in the first inning on three hits.Â
The Golden Bears answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning, on a single by Brandon Heere (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) to drive in Kelly.
USciences scored two more in the top of the third on three hits and led Kutztown 5-1. In the bottom-half of the inning, the Golden Bears took advantage of defensive miscues by the Devils tying the game at five on just one hit in the inning. Gavin Moretski's (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) single was the lone hit and drove in the fourth run of the inning.
Trailing by one run in the bottom of the fifth, the Golden Bears loaded the bases with two down in the inning. Zach Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./La Salle College H.S.) blasted a grand slam to left field, giving the Maroon and Gold a three-run lead late in the game.Â
Abel Saft (Kintnersville, Pa./Moravian Academy) earned the win for Kutztown, throwing a scoreless two innings in relief. Gavin Morestki closed the door in the top of the seventh and is credited for a save. Ryan Hess takes the loss for the Devils, falling to 1-2 on the year.Â
The Golden Bears are back in action Friday, April 29, at home as they start their last conference series of the season against West Chester at 2:00 p.m.
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