COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. -- The Kutztown University baseball team (0-1) dropped its season opener to Tiffin (1-0) 17-6 at Shepherd Stadium in Colonial Heights, Va. Saturday evening.
The Dragons took the lead in the first inning after a two-run home run by Tim Orr, followed by an RBI single from Ben Bach. The Golden Bears stormed back in the bottom of the fourth with a two-RBI single from Joey Pettinelli (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) and a two-RBI double from Ethan Martini (Trevose, Pa./Father Judge) to take a 4-3 lead.
Tiffin's offense exploded in the sixth inning for six runs, as the trend continued the rest of the game and the Dragons pulled away for the victory.
Ethan Martini (Trevose, Pa./Father Judge) went 3-5 with three RBI and a double, while Joey Pettinelli (Broomall, Pa./Marple Newtown) went 1-4 with two RBI. Michael Burns (Levittown, Pa./Harry S. Truman) recorded KU's other RBI in the contest. Brian Finn (Warrington, Pa./Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) and Mitchell Peers (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) were the other Golden Bears to get a hit in the game.
On the mound, Zach Male (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford) got the start, throwing 4.0 innings and striking out five. Ben Hubert earned the win for Tiffin while Cody Barberio (Green Lane, Pa./Quakertown) took the loss for KU.
The Golden Bears are back in action on Sunday in a doubleheader against PSAC West foes Clarion. Game one on Sunday will start at 10 a.m. from the Dinwiddie Sports Complex in Sutherland, Va.
