May 15, 2009

KU’s bats come alive in 9-4 win over Concord

WEST LAWN, Pa. — Adam Maini pitched seven strong innings and got plenty of run support to keep the Kutztown University baseball team alive in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regionals with a 9-4 win over Concord University in Game 4 Friday at Owls Field.

The second-seeded Golden Bears (34-16) will advance to Game 8 against the winner of Game 6 between No. 4 Mercyhurst and No. 5 West Virginia State.

No. 6 Concord (27-15) became the second team to be eliminated from the tournament as No. 1 West Chester sent No. 3 Shepherd home with a 10-1 loss earlier Friday.

The Golden Bears, who were shut down in Game 2 of the tournament, bounced back with nine runs on 11 hits.

Mike Kacelowicz led the charge going 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Matt Kulbacki provided the clutch hits, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored. He hit a two-run double in the first inning to help KU take a 3-0 lead and he hit an RBI double in the ninth to make it 9-3.

Mike Dugan and Chad LIghtcap each scored a run and recorded RBIs.

Shayne Houck was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Maini took care of the rest, holding Concord to three runs — one earned — over seven innings on seven hits and two walks. He struck out seven in the contest.

Jordan Smith pitched a scoreless inning in relief, and Kevin Morganti loaded the bases and allowed a run to score before the Golden Bears turned the second doubleplay of the game.

KU, which had three sacrifice flies in the game, scored four runs in the fourth to take a 7-3 lead. Concord committed two errors in the inning to allow the Golden Bears to blow the game open.

Josh Wenger finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored for Concord.

KU will play in Game 8 at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be available online via live stats and audio Webcast on the Golden Bear Network.