Kutztown University

The following are press releases for the Kutztown University Athletic Department, released during the time listed above. For more information, contact the sports information office.

May 22, 2008

FIVE TENNIS PLAYERS NAMED TO ALL-PSAC TEAMS

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Three women and two men from the Kutztown University tennis teams were honored by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference after their performances during the 2007-08 season.

ARNAUD

DAS

JOERNS

LABITSCH

SHARMA

On the women’s side, Sabrina Arnaud (so. Quebec, QUEBEC/Levy Laurzon), Rohini Das (so. Kolkata, INDIA) and Barbara Joerns (so. Ludwigshafen, GERMANY) were named All-PSAC East singles players, while Das and Joerns were also All-PSAC East in the doubles category.

Lukas Labitsch (jr. Bruck an der Mur, AUSTRIA) and Arpit Sharma (so. Kolkata, INDIA) also were All-PSAC singles and doubles players.

Labitsch, who was named All-PSAC in singles in 2006-07, went 11-7 in singles play this season, 5-5 in the No. 1 spot. He went 5-2 outside of dual meets, finishing as the PSAC individual runner-up in the fall.

Labitsch was 13-4 in doubles competition with three different partners. He was 2-2 with Sharma, who was 12-5 in doubles competitions with five different partners. Labitsch won the PSAC doubles title in the fall. This is his third All-PSAC doubles honor.

Arnuad finished the season 13-6 in singles competition, going 9-2 in the No. 3 spot. Das was 12-8 overall, 7-2 at the No. 2 spot, while Joerns was 10-6 and 6-3 competing in the first singles.

Das and Joerns went 10-8 as a doubles pair. This is Das’ second All-PSAC East singles and doubles selection.

May 20, 2008

KU places fourth in PSAC Dixon Trophy Standings

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Kutztown University athletics department finished fourth in the standings for the 2007-08 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Dixon Trophy.

Slippery Rock won the trophy for the first time, followed by West Chester, California (Pa.) and Kutztown. Indiana (Pa.) rounded out the top five. The trophy was presented at the league's annual awards luncheon at the Dixon Center Tuesday afternoon.

The Dixon Trophy is named after F. Eugene Dixon, Jr., former chairman of the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. It is awarded annually to the PSAC member institution that accumulates the most points based on results of conference playoffs and/or regular-season records. Each institution's point total is calculated by adding its top six men's finishes and top six women's finishes in 21 conference sports.

This year marked the eighth consecutive time that the Golden Bears have finished in the award's top five. Kutztown earned one league title in baseball, and made the PSAC playoffs in men's basketball, field hockey, women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis and softball. The indoor and outdoor track and field teams as well as the men's swimming and women's cross country teams also posted strong showings, recording top five finishes at their respective PSAC championships.

Kutztown finished fifth in last year's Dixon Trophy standings, a year after the school won the award for the first time.

Final 2007-08 Dixon Trophy Standings
1. Slippery Rock     132.5    8. Lock Haven         119.0
2. West Chester      130.5    9. Edinboro          113.5
3. California        125.5   10. East Stroudsburg   112.5
4. Kutztown          125.0   11. Millersville       101.0
5. IUP               123.5   12. Clarion             97.0
6. Shippensburg      122.0   13. Mansfield           44.5
7. Bloomsburg        120.0   14. Cheyney             42.0

May 19, 2008

FITZGERALD SELECTED TO 2008 DAKTRONICS ALL-AMERICA SOFTBALL TEAM

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Ashley Fitzgerald (jr. Kitchener, ONTARIO/Resurrection) was named to 2008 Daktronics All-America Softball Team after leading Kutztown University to a school record 44 wins in the regular season.

Selected as a utility player, Fitzgerald batted .424 (79-for-188) with 23 doubles and 35 runs scored. Her 16 homers were second on the first team and her 59 RBIs were third. She finished the season with an on-base percentage of .488 and a slugging percentage of .811.

Fitzgerald, the PSAC East’s Player of the Year, also was named to First-Team NFCA All-American, All-PSAC East First Team and the Daktronics All-Region First Team. She was named to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic All-Tournament team for her performance, as she was 5-for-15 (.333) with a home run, four RBIs and a run scored.

She was one of two PSAC players selected to the All-America First Team, as Lock Haven pitcher Kristin Erb earned a spot on the team.

KU finished its season 48-14 overall, including the postseason. The Golden Bears won the regular season title in the PSAC East with a 21-3 record.

May 15, 2008

GORSKI, LIGHTCAP EARN ALL-REGION HONORS

GORSKI

LIGHTCAP

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Two members of the Kutztown University baseball team have received all-region honors for their efforts during the 2008 season.

Left-handed pitcher Darin Gorski (so. Mount Joy/Donegal) was named to the first team, while outfielder Chad Lightcap (jr. Boyertown/Boyertown) was named to the second team in both the Daktronics and American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) North Atlantic All-Region balloting.

The Daktronics team is voted upon by the region's sports information directors, while the region's baseball coaches select the ABCA awards.

Gorski is 8-4 on the season in 12 starts. He has an earned-run average of 2.43, allowing 22 earned runs in 81.1 innings pitched. The southpaw has struck out 83 batters and walked 27, while notching seven complete games. Opponents are batting a measly .210 against him. Previoulsy, Gorski was named first-team All-PSAC East.

Lightcap is hitting .381 on the year, with 47 runs scored, 18 doubles, six home runs and 40 RBI. The junior outfielder has walked 26 times and sports a .607 slugging percentage and .481 on-base average. Lightcap was named the MVP of the 2008 PSAC Tournament where the Golden Bears claimed their sixth title in school history. He also was a first-team All-PSAC East honoree this season.

Kutztown is 30-25 on the year. The Golden Bears lost to West Chester, 5-3, in the opening round of the Division II North Atlantic Regional on Thursday. KU next faces West Virginia State in an elimination game on Friday at 11 a.m. at Point Stadium. The game will be webcast on the Golden Bear Network (http://www.kutztown.edu/goldenbearnetwork/)

May 15, 2008

FITZGERALD NAMED TO FIRST-TEAM NFCA ALL-AMERICA SQUAD

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Kutztown University softball player Ashley Fitzgerald (jr. Kitchener, ONTARIO/Resurrection) was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First Team All-America squad for her efforts in the 2008 season.

FITZGERALD

Fitzgerald was honored as a First-Team NFCA All-American for the first time in her career, as she was a second-team NFCA All-America honoree a year ago. She was also awarded her third career NFCA All-Region honor this season, after earning first team in 2007 as a utility player and second team in 2006 as an outfielder.

Playing primarily at catcher this season, Fitzgerald has also played at short stop, outfield and designated player. On the season, she hit .434, with 23 doubles, 16 home runs and 59 RBIs.

Fitzgerald finishes the season as the PSAC leader in batting, hits, doubles and shares the lead with in home runs, while also topping all PSAC players in slugging percentage (.841) and on-base percentage (.500).

Earlier this season, Fitzgerald was named the PSAC East Player of the Year, as well as first-team All-PSAC East and Daktronics All-Region. Most recently, Fitzgerald was named to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic All-Tournament team for her performance, as she was 5-for-15 (.333) with a home run, four RBIs and a run scored.

With the honor, Fitzgerald is the fourth First Team NFCA All-America selection in KU history, as current teammate Steph Denlinger was the most recent selection (2007).

May 14, 2008

THREE KU WOMEN NAMED LVAIAW FALL AWARD WINNERS

SINGER

WATERS

WILLIAMS

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Three Kutztown University student-athletes have received an award from the Lehigh Valley Association Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (LVAIAW) for the 2007-08 school year as voted on by the coaches of the participating schools.

Swimmer Ashley Singer (sr. Litltz/Warwick) was named KU’s LVAIAW Athlete of the Year, along with volleyball player Erin Waters (sr. Waymart/Western Wayne) and track runner Stephanie Williams (Harrisburg/Riverside {Elwood City}) were honored with awards as the player of the year in their sport.

Singer, wrapped up her career as the KU record holder in seven events, the 100, 200, 500, 1,000 freestyles, 200 butterfly and the 800 free relay. Singer was the 2007 PSAC Champion in the 500 free. She earned All-PSAC in the 200 and 500 free in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 season. She was named honorable mention All-America in the 200 and 500 free in 2007, and was an NCAA qualifier in the 100, 200 and 500 free.

Waters was second on KU in kills with 409 and blocks with 129. She led the PSAC in kill percentage with .361 during the regular season. She was named All-PSAC and to the Division II Atlantic Region Second Team for her efforts.

Williams was named Lehigh Valley Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Female Athlete of the Year in cross-country as well as All-PSAC and All-Region. Her indoor track and field season has been equally impressive. Williams was a PSAC qualifier in three events, the mile, 3,000m and 5,000m. Williams’ time of 10:18.66 set a school record.

The LVAIAW consists of Cedar Crest, Lafayette, Moravian and Muhlenberg College and DeSales, Kutztown, and Lehigh University.

May 14, 2008

KU TRACK RUNNER WILLIAMS HEADED TO NATIONALS

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Kutztown University track runner Stephanie Williams (Harrisburg/Riverside{Ellwood City}) has earned the right to represent Kutztown at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California May 22-24.

The senior qualified in two events, the 3,000m where her top time is 9:58.78 and in the 5,000m, where her top time is 17:15.19. Her times in both events rank her second in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Williams will enter the NCAA Championships as the No. 4 seed in the 3,000 and 13th in the 5,000.

At the PSAC Championships May 1-3, Williams placed fifth in the 3,000 (17.49.15) and third in the 5,000 (18:06.26). Prior to the meet, Williams was honored with the Kutztown University scholar-athlete award for her outstanding accomplishments on the track and in the classroom.

This is Williams' second trip to nationals, as she was seeded 13th in the 5,000m a year ago, and finished 13th.

Schedule of events has yet to be announced.

May 13, 2008

ANDRE REED TO HEADLINE READING EXPRESS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS NIGHT

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — The Reading Express will host Breast Cancer Awareness night on Saturday, May 17 at 8 p.m. at the Soverign Center in Reading. Fans will get an opportunity to meet former Buffalo Bills star and Kutztown University standout wide receiver Andre Reed.

Express players will be wearing special pink breast cancer jersey’s that will be auctioned during the game. Other special items will be on sale that will directly benefit breast cancer awareness and research.

Breast Cancer Awareness Night is sponsored by The Reading Hospital & Medical Center.

Reed, a former teammate of Express head coach and fellow KU Athletics Hall of Famer Bernie Nowotarski was a four-year letterman at Kutztown from 1981-84.He made 142 career catches for 2,002 yards and 14 touchdowns. Upon completion of his collegiate career, he held school records for catches, receiving yards and touchdowns in a game, season and career. Though all of his records have since been broken, Reed still ranks among the top five receivers in several statistical categories. He was named All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in 1983 and 1984. One of four Kutztown University football players with his jersey number retired, he was selected for the NCAA Division II Team of the Quarter Century in 1997.

Reed ranks near the top in nearly all NFL career statistical receiving categories. He is fifth in NFL history in total career receptions with 951. He is eighth in NFL history in total career receiving yards with 13,198. Reed is also tenth in NFL history in total career touchdown receptions with 87. With the Bills, Reed played in four consecutive Super Bowls (1991-1994) and was selected to the Pro Bowl in seven consecutive seasons (1988-1994).

For more information on joining Andre Reed and the Reading Express to help “score a touchdown for a cure” and for ticket availability, call 610-372-PASS or visit www.expressindoorfootball.com.

May 12, 2008

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — The Kutztown University baseball team will open defense of its NCAA Division II North Atlantic Regional title on Thursday against West Chester at Point Stadium in Johnstown, Pa.

Kutztown (30-24) is the No. 6 seed in the six-team field. The Golden Bears earned automatic qualification by winning the 2008 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship on May 4. KU will take on No. 1 seeded West Chester (41-14) in Thursday’s first game at 11 a.m. No. 2 West Virginia State (36-12), which was the automatic qualifier as winner of the W.Va. Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) title, will face No. 5 Shippensburg (34-23) at 3 p.m., followed by No. 3 Concord (35-13) vs. No. 4 Pitt-Johnstown (35-17-1) at 7 p.m.

Games continue throughout the day Friday and Saturday, with the championship game(s) scheduled for Sunday. Ticket prices are $5 for each game.

The winner of the tournament will advance to the NCAA Division II “World Series” at Sauget, Ill. May 24-31.

The Golden Bears are 30-24 overall, including a 5-1 record to win the PSAC title. KU is under the direction of sixth-year head coach Chris Blum, who has a career record of 224-94.

KU makes its eighth-straight NCAA tournament appearance, the third longest active streak in Division II behind Central Missouri State (14) and Tampa (nine). Not only is KU’s the longest active streak among North Atlantic Region teams, it is the longest-ever streak of regional berths among teams currently in the region. KU has been in the tournament 10 times, with its first in 1999, then every year since 2001. Kutztown won the tournament in 2001, ’02, ’04 and ’07, while finishing second in ’06 and third in ’99, ’03 and ’05.

Kutztown won the title last year, defeating West Chester 9-1 in the championship game. The Golden Bears finished tied for seventh at the NCAA Championships.

The 2008 Golden Bears have been led by solid pitching as the young lineup has come along late in the season. KU has a 3.69 team earned-run average and a .282 team batting average.

Darin Gorski (so. Mount Joy/Donegal), Philip Rummel (sr. Exeter/West-Mont Christian), Derick Reis (sr. Jim Thorpe/Jim Thorpe) and Garrison Rausch (sr. Allentown/Parkland) comprise KU’s rotation.

Gorski is 8-3 with a 2.08 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 73.2 innings pitched. Rummel is 6-5 with a 3.39 ERA and 56 Ks in 66.1 innings pitched, Reis is 4-2 with a 2.63 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 51.1 innings. Rausch is 1-3 with a 6.17 ERA and 30 Ks in 42.1 innings.

Other pitchers who saw action in the PSAC Championships and will look to contribute on the mound include Justin Jachowicz (sr. Summit Hill/Panther Valley) (1-3, save, 3.33 ERA), Trent Mertz (fr. Kutztown/Kutztown) (1-0, save, 1.80 ERA), Mike Bucklin (so. Shillington/Governor Mifflin) (2-0, 5.40 ERA), Jason Herr (fr. Harrisburg/C.D. East) (0-2, 3.72 ERA) and Ryan Cassidy (so. Langhorne/Archbishop Wood) (2-2, 4.24 ERA).

The Golden Bears are led at the plate by OF/DH Chad Lightcap (jr. Boyertown/Boyertown), who is hitting .387 with 47 runs scored, 40 RBIs and six home runs. Rausch, who plays center field when not pitching, is hitting .193 with 13 RBIs. Corey Buletza (fr. St. Clair/Pottsville) (.278, HR, 23 RBIs) and Jeff Kistle (fr. Sandyston, N.J./Kittatinny) (.220, 11 RBI) split time in the outfield as well.

The infield is led by the third-baseman platoon of James Quigley (fr. Bensalem/Bensalem) and Mike Dugan (r-fr. Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City). Quigley is hitting .330 with 17 RBIs, while Dugan is hitting .286 with a home run and 19 RBIs. Second baseman Mike Kacelowicz (so. Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain) is hitting .315 with a home run and 20 RBIs. Jared Frey (so. Mohrsville/Schuylkill Valley) is hitting .250 with 20 RBIs at first base, while Mark Renda (r-fr. Lansdale/North Penn) (.250, 23 RBIs) and Brett Wigder (fr. Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) (.281, 19 RBIs) share time at short stop.

Matt Kulbacki (so. Hershey/Hershey) and Scott Kacelowicz (so. Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain) are the catchers. Kulbacki is hitting .286 with a team-high seven homers and 32 RBIs. Kacelowicz hits .309 with nine RBIs.

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Four members of Kutztown University’s softball team were named to All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

First baseman Steph Denlinger (jr. Harleysville/Souderton) and utility player Ashley Fitzgerald (jr. Kitchener, Ont./Resurrection) were named to the first team. Pitcher Katlin Arbogast (so. Ambler/Wissahickon) and third baseman Krista Cameron (jr. Formosta, Ont/Sacred Heart) were named to the second team.

Denlinger, earns her third-straight NFCA first-team all-region award. She is currently batting .345 with 51 runs scored, 16 home runs and 55 RBIs. She has walked 40 times on the year, and has a .721 slugging percentage. Earlier this week, she was named first-team All-PSAC East and Daktronics All-Region. Last season, Denlinger was named first-team All-America by the NFCA.

Fitzgerald was awarded her third career NFCA All-Region honor, after earning first team in 2007 as a utility player and second team in 2006 as an outfielder. Playing primarily at catcher this season, Fitzgerald has also played at short stop, outfield and designated player. She is hitting .438, with 23 doubles, 16 home runs and 56 RBIs. She leads the PSAC in batting, doubles and shares the lead with doubles, while also topping all PSAC players in slugging percentage (.841) and on-base percentage (.500). Earlier this week, Fitzgerald was named the PSAC East Player of the Year, as well as first-team All-PSAC East and Daktronics All-Region. Last year, Fitzgerald was a second-team NFCA All-America honoree.

Arbogast is a repeat selection to the NFCA all-region second team, after earning the same award as a freshman in 2007. The sophomore right hander is 24-7, with a 1.44 earned-run average in 2008. She has 21 complete games and 12 shutouts in 195 innings pitched, with 243 strikeouts on the year. Earlier this week, she was named first-team All-PSAC East and Daktronics All-Region.

Cameron was named to the NFCA All-Region team for the third time, twice on the second team and once on the first team (2007). She is hitting .328 on the season, with 13 doubles, five home runs and 35 RBIs. Previously this season, she was named first-team All-PSAC East and second-team Daktronics All-Region.

The Golden Bears (46-13) are in the midst of hosting the NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Regional tournament. KU is 1-1 in the tournament and will next face West Chester on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at North Campus Field.

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Kutztown University baseball players Chad Lightcap (jr. Boyertown/Boyertown) and Darin Gorski (so. Mount Joy/Donegal) were named to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division first team, while Philip Rummel (sr. Exeter/West-Mont Christian) was named to the second team.

Lightcap is enjoying another solid season after being named to the second team a year ago. Lightcap leads the team in batting average (.387) and was second in the conference with 18 doubles. His six home runs are second on the team. He also has a team-high 40 RBIs and 101 total bases. Lightcap was named the MVP of the 2008 PSAC Tournament where the Golden Bears claimed their sixth title in school history.

Gorski stepped up in his sophomore season recording an 8-3 record in 11 starts with seven complete games and a PSAC leading 2.08 ERA. His 78 strikeouts in 73.2 innings is good for second in the conference. The sophomore has allowed only 56 hits and 27 free passes on the season. Opponents hit .208 against the southpaw.

Rummel is 6-5 on the season, with a 3.39 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. Rummel had 10 starts and threw five complete games. Opponents hit .285 against the senior.

After winning the PSAC Championship, KU (30-24) earned an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II North Atlantic Regional, which will take place May 15-18 at a site to be determined.

FITZGERALD LEADS FIVE GOLDEN BEARS ON ALL-REGION TEAM, SEVEN ON ALL-PSAC EAST SQUAD

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — Ashley Fitzgerald (jr. Kitchener, ONT./Resurrection) was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Year and was one of five Daktronics Mid-Atlantic All-Region and seven All-PSAC East selections.

Fitzgerald, at utility player, along with pitcher Katlin Arbogast (so. Ambler/Wisshickon) and first baseman Steph Denlinger (jr. Harleysville/Sounderton) were named to the all-region first team. Third baseman Krista Cameron (jr. Formosa, ONTARIO/Sacred Heart) and center fielder Kathy Gregg (sr. Narvon/Gardon Spot) made the second team.

Fitzgerald, Arbogast, Denlinger, Cameron and second baseman Kim Morrison (jr. Newmarket, ONTARIO/Sir William Mulock) were named to the first team All-PSAC East. Gregg and left fielder Maria Schaivo (so. Old Forge/Old Forge) both made the second team.

Fitzgerald, who was second team all-region last season, ranks atop the conference in multiple categories, as she leads the PSAC in total bases (142), batting average (.435) doubles (23), and is tied for the lead in RBIs (55) and is second in the conference with 15 home runs. Fitzgerald was also named All-PSAC first team for the second consecutive season at the utility position.

Denlinger, the 2007 PSAC East Player of the Year, has had a banner year once again, breaking several career records. She set the KU career record for RBIs and broke the career record for walks. Additionally, the junior is currently tied for the most career homers in PSAC history with 56 entering this week’s Mid-Atlantic Regional. Denlinger currently leads the PSAC this season with 16 homers and runs scored with 51. Denlinger, who is hitting .354 on the season, was a first-team Daktronics All-Region selection last year.

Arbogast, last season’s PSAC East Pitcher and Rookie of the Year, has had another stellar campaign in her sophomore season. Entering the Mid-Atlantic Regional, she has a 23-7 record, with 234 strikeouts in 183 innings and a 1.49 ERA. In only her second season, Arbogast has already set the KU career record for strikeouts in her career. She was a first-team All-PSAC East and all-region pick in 2007.

Cameron was selected to her third career All-PSAC East honor, her second straight on the first team. She is also a repeat Daktronics All-Region honoree. Cameron is third on the Golden Bears in several categories, with 35 RBIs, 87 total bases. She is second with 58 hits. Cameron is hitting .322 on the year with 35 RBIs.

Morrison is hitting .292 with nine doubles, three homers and 16 RBIs, while providing solid play at the second base position (.963 fielding percentage). Morrison was named to the PSAC East first team for the third time in her career.

Schiavo is second on the team with 58 hits and first on the team with 21 sacrifices. She has a .318 batting average. She earns her second-consecutive all-conference second-team award.

Gregg leads the team in steals with nine and is third in homers with six. She has a .303 batting average with 21 RBIs. Gregg is a first time All-PSAC and all-region honoree.