GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – The Kutztown University baseball team played a tight game in the first six innings, but allowed the Adelphi Panthers to regroup and score ten unanswered runs in an 11-2 non-conference game at William J. Bonomo Memorial Field on Tuesday evening.
The Golden Bears (2-5 overall), who looked to build on stellar offensive performances this past weekend in its home opener, couldn't replicate the magic against the Panthers (4-3), who have now won three straight contests on the young season.
The third inning saw each team send home a run, as Kutztown left fielder Bo Barthol (Breinigsville, Pa./Parkland) stole second after reaching on a one-out single in the top of the third before coming home on a Nick Varda (Columbia, Md./Atholton) single a batter later. A similar series of singles and stolen bases saw Adelphi knot the game at one run apiece in the bottom half of the inning.
KU managed to reclaim the lead in the fifth inning, as second baseman Cam Burr (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) came around to score after reaching on a walk to open the inning. Barthol, who advanced Burr and was following close behind thanks to a hit and another stolen base, was stranded at third base to end the visitor's half of the inning.
The hosts came alive in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs on four hits and two errors. AU continued its roll in the eighth inning, scoring six runs on six hits to close out the night for the Panthers.
Barthol continues his strong start to the season, as he had all three of Kutztown's stolen bases on the day while going 3-for-4 with the aforementioned run. Varda sent home both runs for the Golden Bears, while the team managed to draw four total walks against the Panthers.
Starting pitcher Evan Krippel (Levittown, Pa./Neshaminy) picked up a no-decision after four innings of work but pitched well, with three strikeouts and one earned run over 68 pitches. Jeremy Fallon (Souderton, Pa./Souderton) and Paul Moretski (Harleysville, Pa./Lansdale Catholic) each pitched a shutout inning for the Maroon and Gold in defeat.
John Carver (1-1) was credited with the win after seven strong innings for Adelphi that saw him strike out six, allow two runs on five hits and walk three. Zack Wertman (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) (0-1) got tagged with the loss for the Golden Bears after going one-third of an inning and allowing two hits and two runs (one earned) in the seventh inning.
The Golden Bears return to North Campus Baseball Field to host a four-game set against the Saint Michael's Purple Knights on Friday, Mar. 7, and Saturday, Mar. 8, with games starting at noon and 2:30 p.m.
