Baseball
Game Recap

KU in action at Savannah Invitational

Savannah Invitational
Savannah, Ga.
Feb. 28 to March 7, 2009

Feb. 28 - GAME 1: Kutztown 8, Findlay 3 | BOXSCORE
Mar. 02 - GAME 2: California 9, Kutztown 5 | BOXSCORE
Mar. 02 - GAME 3: Kutztown 13, Findlay 7 | BOXSCORE
Mar. 03 - GAME 4: Kutztown 17, Bellarmine 0 | BOXSCORE
Mar. 03 - GAME 5: Kutztown 9, California (Pa.) 8 | BOXSCORE
Mar. 05 - GAME 6: Kutztown 4, California (Pa.) 2 | BOXSCORE
Mar. 06 - Game 7: Armstrong Atlantic St. 15, Kutztown 5 | BOXSCORE
Mar. 07 - Game 8: Bellarmine 5, Kutztown 3 | BOXSCORE

March 7

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Kutztown University baseball team had one rough inning and it was enough for Bellarmine University to close out the Savannah Invitational with a 5-3 win Saturday.

KU (12-5) led 3-0 after three innings, but five runs in the bottom of the seventh propelled Bellarmine (8-6) to the win.

The Golden Bears close out the Savannah Invite with a 5-3 record.

Matt Kulbacki (jr. Hershey/Hershey) led KU Saturday, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and one run scored.

Michael Dugan (so. Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City) and Brett Wigder (so. Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) also had RBIs for KU.

Ryan Cassidy (jr. Langhorne/Archbishop Wood) started for KU, pitching six innings of scoreless ball, but in the seventh, he recorded just one out, allowing five runs to cross the plate. Cassidy finished with nine strikeouts.

Mike Bucklin (jr. Shillington/Governor Mifflin) came in to relieve Cassidy and pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for KU.

Bellarmine 5, Kutztown 3
Score by inning             R H E
Kutztown      021 000 000 - 3 7 1
Bellarmine    000 000 50x - 5 8 0
K- Ryan Cassidy, Mike Bucklin (7), and Matt Kulbacki.
B- Robbie Reeves, Aaron Deatherage (7), Ryan Krull (9), and Kyle Roden.
WP: Aaron Deatherage (1-0). LP: Ryan Cassidy (2-2). S: Ryan Krull (2).
Records: K: 12-5; B: 8-6.
Highlights: KU’s Matt Kulbacki went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored; Mike Dugan and Brett Wigder each had RBI singles.

Gorski hurls KU to win over Cal

March 5

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Darin Gorski (jr. Mount Joy/Donegal) threw eight innings of two-hit ball in the Golden Bears 4-2 win over California (Pa.) at the Savannah Invitational.

The Golden Bears (12-3) started off the scoring with two runs in their half of the second inning. James Quigley (so. Bensalem/Bensalem) got things started with a double and scored on a balk. Shayne Houck (fr. Boyertown/Boyertown) scored on a sacrifice fly by Jeff Kistle (so. Sandyston, N.J./Kittatinny).

The Vulcans (4-3) answered back with one run in the second and tied it up 2-2 in the fourth inning. Gorski scattered two hits in eight innings, while striking out eight to improve to 3-0 on the season.

KU took a 3-2 lead in the sixth after Houck reached on a two-out single. Jared Frey (so. Mohrsville/Schuylkill Valley) singled, and an error during the play allowed Houck to score. The lead extended to 4-2 in the top of the eighth with a sacrifice fly by catcher Matt Kulbacki (jr. Hershey/Hershey).

Jason Herr (so. Harrisburg/C.D. East) pitched the ninth for his third save, allowing only one hit and striking one batter out.

KU will return to action on Friday for a game against Armstrong Atlantic State at 2 p.m.

Kutztown 4, California (Pa.) 2
Scores by inning                R H E
Kutztown         020 001 010 -  4 9 1
California (Pa.) 010 100 000 -  2 3 4

K: Darin Gorski, Jason Herr (9) and Matt Kulbacki
C: Ryan Lavrsusky, Mike Schmidt (9) and Stephen Hermann
W: Darin Gorski (3-0), L: Ryan Lavrusky, S: Herr (3)
Record: K, 12-3; C, 4-4
KU Highlights: Mike Kacelowicz 2-for-5; James Quigley 2-for-3; Shayne Houck 2-for-4, 2 runs, scored winning run on Jared Frey's single and error; Darin Gorski 8 IP, 8 strikeouts, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned.

Dugan's Four RBI lead KU over California (Pa)

March 3

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Michael Dugan (so. Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City) and the Kutztown University baseball team rallied to beat California (Pa.) 9-8 on Tuesday afternoon at the Savannah Invitational.

The Golden Bears (11-3) jumped out to a 4-1 advantage after the first inning, starting with an RBI single by Shayne Houck (fr. Boyertown/Boyertown). Jared Frey (so. Mohrsville/Schuylkill Valley) also knocked in a run with a single, and Dugan knocked two runs to complete the scoring in the first.

The Vulcans (4-2) came back with five runs in the fourth inning to take a 6-4 lead.

KU rallied back in the fifth, plating five runs of its own for a 9-6 lead. James Quigley (so. Bensalem/Bensalem) had an RBI single and Dugan again came through with another two-run single. Dominick Fantanarosa (sr. Coatesville/Coatesville) and Brett Wigder (so. Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) each followed with RBI singles of their own.

Trent Mertz (so. Kutztown/Kutztown) started the game, going four innings and collecting four strikeouts. Jordan Smith (so. New Milford/Blue Ridge) pitched three innings to earn the win, allowing one run, one hit and striking out three. Kevin Morganti (sr. Reading/Muhlenberg) pitched a hitless inning before handing it over to Jason Herr (so. Harrisburg/C.D. East), who got the save.

This win marked the third straight for KU in the Savannah Invitational and even the series with California.

Kutztown 9, California (Pa.) 8
Scores by inning                R  H E
California (Pa.) 100 500 101 –  8 10 0
Kutztown         400 050 00x -  9 12 4

K: Trent Mertz, Jordan Smith (5), Kevin Morganti (8), Jason Herr (9) and Dominic Fantanarosa, Matt Kulbacki (8)
C: Welsh, Schreiber (2), Plummer (5) and Herman
W: Jordan Smith (2-0), L: Schreiber, S: Herr (2)
Record: K, 11-3; C, 4-1
KU Highlights: Corey Buletza 2-for-5; Mike Kacelowicz 2 runs; Shayne Houck 2-for-3, RBI, 2 runs; Mike Dugan 2-for-4, 4 RBI; James Quigley 2 runs; Brett Wigder 2-for-3, RBI.  

GOLDEN BEARS ROUT BELLARMINE 17-0

March 3

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Kutztown University baseball team unleashed 17 runs in a shut out win over Bellarmine College on Tuesday after at the Savannah Invitational.

The Golden Bears (10-3) scored in bunches, with eight in the third inning, two in the fourth, one in each the fifth and sixth, and five in the eighth.

Chad Lightcap (sr. Boyertown/Boyertown) knocked in two runs to start the scoring in the third inning with a double. James Quigley (so. Bensalem/Bensalem)  followed that up with a double of his own to plate Lightcap.

The early run support was more than enough for Adam Maini (jr. Macungie/Emmaus) who pitched seven innings, scattering only four hits while striking out eight batters. He never allowed more than one base runner in an inning. Lightcap pitched two innings of hitless relief, striking out two.

Matt Kulbacki (jr. Hershey/Hershey) was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, while driving in four runs and scoring twice. Brett Wigder (so. Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull) was 3-for-5 with three RBI and two doubles. Corey Buletza (so. St. Claire/Pottsville) scored two runs for the Golden Bears.

KU will return to the field on Thursday, March 5th at 10 a.m. to take on California (Pa.) in another contest at the Savannah Invitational.

Kutztown 17, Bellarmine 0
Scores by inning            R  H E
Bellarmine   000 000 000 –  0  4 3
Kutztown     008 211 05x – 17 15 0

B: Braxton Graven, Taylor Scarlett (3), Justin Strohmeier (5), Alex Rexing (8), and Kyle Roden, Tony Fazi (6).
K: Adam Maini, Chad Lightcap (8), and Matt Kulbacki.
W: Adam Maini  (2-0), L: Braxton Graven  (0-1).
2B: Kutztown, Chad Lightcap, James Quigley, Jared Frey, Bret Wigder (2).
Record: K, 10-3; B, 5-5.
KU Highlights: Adam Maini 7 IP, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts; Matt Kulbacki 4-for-4, 4 RBIs, 2 runs scored; Brett Wigder 3-for-5, 3 RBIs.

KU REBOUNDS WITH WIN OVER FINDLAY

March 2

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Golden Bears beat Findlay for the second time in three days, 13-7 Monday afternoon at the Savannah Invitational.

Shayne Houck (fr. Boyertown/Boyertown) was 3-for-3 at the plate, with a three-run home run and five RBIs. He also scored three runs.

The Golden Bears (9-3) were up 7-2 before Houck's homer put them ahead 10-2 and put the game out of reach.

Mike Bucklin (jr. Shillington/Governor Mifflin) pitched five innings to receive the win. He held the Oilers (0-3) to only five hits and four runs, while striking out three. Matt Patteson (fr. Cedar Crest/Lebanon) pitched three innings of relief, allowing only one run and striking out five.

Corey Buletza (so. St. Claire/Pottsville) was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Mike Kacelowicz (jr. Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain)  scored two runs and had two stolen bases. James Quigley (so. Bensalem/Bensalem) scored four runs.

The Golden Bears will return to action on Tuesday at 10 a.m. against Bellarmine.

Kutztown 13, Findlay 7
Scores by inning            R  H E
Findlay      002 022 001 -  7  9 2
Kutztown     403 330 00x - 13 13 2

F: Preston Zachrich, Brent Edmonds (5), Andrew Schramm (5), Zak Damman (8), and Alex Raymond, David Cort (7).
K: Mike Bucklin, Matt Patteson (6), Jason Herr (8), and Dom Fantanarosa.
W: Mike Bucklin (1-0), L: Preston Zachrich (0-1).
2B: Kutztown, Chad Lightcap
HR: Kutztown, Shayne Houck (4).
Record: F, 0-3; K, 9-3
KU Highlights: Shayne Houck 3-for-3, HR, five RBIs, three runs scored; James Quigley four runs scored; Mike Bucklin Win, three strikeouts.

CALIFORNIA (Pa.) TOPS GOLDEN BEARS 9-5

March 2

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Kutztown University baseball team was unable to capitalize on opportunities and fell to California (Pa.) 9-5 on Monday afternoon at the Savannah Invitational.

California jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three innings before the Golden Bears (8-3) threatened by loading the bases in the fourth. A sacrifice fly by James Quigley (so. Bensalem/Bensalem) plated one run, but Jon Squeglia worked out of the jam getting a fielder's choice and a pop out.

Anthony Fegely (so. Exeter/Exeter) provided 3 2/3 innings of relief, allowing only one run and striking out one.

Jared Frey (so. Mohrsville/Schuylkill Valley) knocked in two runs with a single in the sixth. Corey Buletza (so. St. Claire/Pottsville) was 2-for-5 with a double and Chad Lightcap (sr. Boyertown/Boyertown) was 2-for-4 with a double.

The Golden Bears will take on Findlay (Ohio) at 3 p.m.

California 9, Kutztown 5
Scores by inning            R  H E
Kutztown      000 120 110 - 5 10 1
California    302 030 10x - 9 13 0

K: Ryan Cassidy, Anthony Fegely (5), and Matt Kulbacki, Johann Knee (7).
C: Jon Squeglia,  Corry Ryan (7), and Stephen Hermann.
W: Jon Squeglia (2-0), L: Ryan Cassidy (2-1), S: Corry Ryan.
2B: Kutztown, Corey Buletza, Mike Kacelowicz, Chad Lightcap, James Quigley.
Record: K, 8-3; C, 4-0.
KU Highlights: Jared Frey 2 RBIs; Corey Buletza 2-for-5, Chad Lightcap 2-for-4; James Quigley 2 runs scored.

Gorski, Morganti shut down Findlay in 8-3 KU win

Feb. 28

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Darin Gorski (jr. Mount Joy/Donegal) recorded 13 strikeouts to lead the Kutztown University baseball team to its sixth straight win with an 8-3 victory over the University of Findlay (Ohio) Saturday in the first game of the Savannah Invitational.

Darin Gorski

Gorski (2-0) limited Findlay to two runs over six innings for the win, and Kevin Morganti (jr. Reading/Muhlenberg) allowed just one run on two hits over the final three innings to record the save.

The offense did the rest for the Golden Bears (8-2).

Chad Lightcap (sr. Boyertown/Boyertown) went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and a triple for KU, which scored three runs in the top of the fifth to break the game open at 6-3.

Lightcap's two-out, two-run single in the fifth fueled the inning. Corey Buletza (so. St. Clair/Pottsville), who scored on the single, had an RBI single earlier in the inning. He finished 3-for-5.

Shayne Houck (fr. Barto/Boyertown) also had a big game for KU, hitting two solo home runs, one in the fourth and another in the eighth. His solo shot in the fourth broke a 2-2 tie.

Mike Kacelowicz (jr. Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain) went 2-for-3 with three runs scored.

Kutztown 8, Findlay 3
Scores by inning            R  H E
Kutztown      200 130 110 - 8 14 2
Findlay       101 000 100 - 3  7 0

K: Darin Gorski, Kevin Morganti (7), and Matt Kulbacki.
F: Ryan Rothenbuhler, Brent Edmonds (7), Scott Harrold (9), and Alex Raymond.
W: Darin Gorski (2-0); L: Ryan Rothenbuhler; S: Kevin Morganti (1).
2B: Kutztown, Mark Renda.
3B: Kutztown, Chad Lightcap.
HR: Kutztown, Shayne Houck 2 (3).
Record: K, 8-2; F, 0-2.
KU Highlights: Shayne Houck was 2-for-4 with two solo homers; Chad Lightcap was 4-for-5 with three RBIs and a triple; Corey Buletza was 3-for-5 with an RBI; Mike Kacelowicz was 2-for-3 with three runs scored.