Baseball rebounds for split with Mounties

Recap:
Saturday, April 5 @ Mansfield:
Game 1: L 0-1
Phil Rummel threw a jem, but allowed one run, which was enough for the Mounties to take a 1-0 win. Rummel threw the entire six innings for KU, surrendering one earned run on seven hits. Chad Lightcap led the offense with a 2-for-3 day at the plate. Mike Kacelowicz and Jared Frey each had a hit—the only other hits for KU in the game.

Game 2: L 0-7
Garrison Rausch’s struggles continued in game two as he allowed five earned runs on six hits in four innings of work. Lightcap chipped in with another 2-of-3 performance, while Frey, James Quigley, Jeff Kistle, and Scott Kacelowicz accounted for the other four KU hits.
Sunday, April 6 vs. Mansfield:
Game 1: W 3-1
Chad Lightcap continued his dismantling of the Mansfield pitching staff as he, once again, was 2-for-3 at the plate. This time around he was a bit more productive, smashing a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning. KU had just four hits as a team, with Mike Kacelowicz and Corey Buletza each contributing one a piece. Darin Gorski was the winning pitcher, allowing one run on three hits in a complete game effort.

Game 2: 5-2

Derek Reis had another outstanding performance, allowing just one unearned run on three hits in 5.1 innings of work. Mike Kacelowicz, Buletza, and Lightcap each had two hits en route to the 5-2 win. Frey, Quigley, Kistle, Mark Renda, and Scott Kacelowicz each had one hit.

What we liked:
Chad Lightcap was phenomenal at the plate as he accounted for almost all of KU’s offensive production. He was a ridiculous 8-of-13 at the plate in the four-game series, scored twice, and had three RBIs. With the exception of Rausch’s start on Saturday, the pitching was stellar once again. Gorski, Rummel, and Reis have each provided back-to-back stellar outings and will need to keep that up to keep KU in the running for a PSAC East playoff spot.

What we didn’t like:
Rausch has had his problems both at the plate and on the mound this season. Manager Chris Blum was hoping to rely on Rausch to provide offense from the cleanup spot and to contribute as one of the team’s top three starting pitchers. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. Pitching is going to continue to be what wins games for KU down the stretch and Rausch is going to need to get on the right track. Overall, the offense was dismal to say the least. The Golden Bears were shutout for 19 straight innings before Lightcap finally came through with Sunday’s game-winning homer. The offense put a five-spot on the board in the final game of the series, but is that a fluke or a sign of things to come?

Impact:
The two shutouts on Saturday certainly were worrisome, as it seemed KU couldn’t even compete with the second best team in the PSAC East. But, then the Golden Bears bounced back with a sweep of their own on Sunday, which shows us how good their pitching can be. At 4-4 in the East and having split with Mansfield, KU is looking like the favorite to take at least the final spot in the division. Although I think a lack of run production will be the downfall at the end of this season, the young offense should only improve with experience and as the weather gets warmer.