CARY, N.C. – The Kutztown University baseball team took the field for the first time in 2025 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex on Friday, falling in a two-game set to Slippery Rock by scores of 9-1 and 9-5.
The Golden Bears (0-2) had strong first innings and a number of clean frames defensively, but late-inning surges from The Rock (2-0) gave the PSAC West team the sweep on the opening night of the neutral road series.
KU's night started with a triple from leadoff hitter Bo Barthol (Breinigsville, Pa./Parkland), who came around as the lone scorer in the opening game for the Maroon and Gold. It took a walk and another runner for Gage Gillott to settle in for The Rock, but his five innings of three-hit ball were enough to produce a well-earned victory for the opposition.
Kutztown sophomore Kannon Zdimal (Morgantown, Pa./Twin Valley) got the opening day call, putting together a strong 79-pitch performance over 3.2 innings before getting pulled for senior Tyler Cleveland (Pillow, Pa./Upper Dauphin) in the fourth.
Infielder Zack Wertman (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) reached base twice via hit by pitch and an additional time on a walk. Kutztown collected five free bases via walk, but had just four hits to Slippery Rock's nine.
The second game featured some more early action from Barthol, as the outfielder stole second after getting plunked to open the game, advancing to home on some sloppy play from The Rock with no outs. The momentum allowed Kutztown to score three runs and hold a 3-2 lead through one inning. Their advantage was expanded with a Jimmy Kerley (Indian Trail, N.C./Sun Valley) extra-base hit in the third inning, putting starting pitcher Cody Barberio (Green Lane, Pa./Quakertown) in line for the win.
Slippery Rock managed a six-run fifth inning to turn the tides, and reliever Mark Wilbur shut down any chances for Kutztown to recover to seal the final result.
Barthol tallied a pair of stolen bases in the latter game while also putting down a sacrifice bunt in the fifth. Barberio came away with a pair of strikeouts and four hits over four innings in his first start of the season, while Eddie Frye (Lorton, Va./South County) pitched a pair of innings in relief for the Golden Bears.
While Kutztown and Slippery Rock don't meet again in the regular season, they still have a chance to face off if they both reach the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Baseball Championship series from May 7-10 in Millersville, Pa.
The Golden Bears will stay down south in Cary, N.C., to face Goldey-Beacom on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. and close out their road trip against Frostburg State on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 4:30 p.m.
