May 15, 2009

Gorski’s outdueled by Long in game two at Regionals

WEST LAWN, Pa. — Darin Gorski allowed just two runs through the first eight innings, but the Kutztown University baseball team’s offense struggled in a 4-1 loss to West Virginia State University in Game 2 of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regionals Friday at Owls Field.

Gorski’s counterpart, Shane Long, pitched eight strong innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks. The Golden Bears hit into two double plays and failed to get a runner into scoring position until the seventh inning.

Joseph Jobst led the No. 5-seeded Yellow Jackets going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. He was one of nine strikeout victims for Gorski, who pitched into the ninth inning, allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk.

West Virginia State scored two runs in the top of the ninth to take a commanding lead heading into the bottom half of the inning, where reliever Jacob Kight recorded his seventh save of the season.

KU scored its lone run in the seventh when James Quigley walked, moved to third on a single by Chad Lightcap and scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt Kulbacki.

In the eighth, Mike Dugan singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brett Wigder, but was caught leaning toward third on a grounder back to Long.

Dugan finished 2-for-3 for the Golden Bears, who did not have an extra-base hit.

The game, originally scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, was delayed 14 hours after a series of rain delays extended Thursday's first two games and a heavy downpour postponed the game to Friday morning.

West Virginia State (32-13) advances to face Mercyhurst in Game 6 at 7 p.m. Friday.

KU (33-16) will play in Game 4 against Concord, which will be played after Game 5 at 3:30 p.m.