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.

Softball takes two from #8 Bloomsburg

The Golden Bears won two huge games on Sunday, sweeping Bloomsburg by scores of 5-1 and 2-1. KU entered the game ranked 18th in the nation and were tied with the 8th-ranked Huskies for first place in the PSAC East. The road sweep improves KU to 7-1 and puts them two games ahead of the 5-3 Huskies. The Golden Bears will hope to avoid a letdown as they take on the 4-2 Shippensburg Lady Raiders Monday at 1 p.m. at North Campus Field.

A full recap of the Bloomsburg and Shippensburg doubleheaders will be available Tuesday.

Baseball team looks to knock off Mounties

What: Kutztown Golden Bears @ Mansfield Mountaineers
When: Saturday, April 5, 2008 @ 1 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: Shaute Field on the campus of Mansfield University
~and~
What: Mansfield Mountaineers @ Kutztown Golden Bears
When: Sunday, April 6, 2008 @ 1 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: North Campus Field on the campus of Kutztown University

Game Info
The Golden Bears are set for a pair of doubleheaders with the Mansfield Mountaineers this weekend. The teams will head to Mansfield for two games on Saturday before returning to Kutztown for another doubleheader on Sunday. Sunday’s games were originally scheduled for Friday, but were postponed due to the possibility of inclement weather.

KU enters the weekend after splitting four games with Bloomsburg this past weekend. The Golden Bears stand at 2-2 in the PSAC East and are 12-12 overall this season.

The Mounties enter the game at 19-8 overall this season, which represents the second best record in the East. They are 3-1 in the division after taking three out of four from East Stroudsburg this past weekend.

Last season, KU won all four games between the teams. The Golden Bears won 5-4 and 2-0 at home before taking 9-8 and 5-2 wins on the road.

Probable Starting Lineups
Kutztown:
1. Mike Kacelowicz – SS
2. Mark Renda – 3B/2B
3. Chad Lightcap – LF
4. James Quigley – DH/3B
5. Jared Frey – 1B
6. Matt Kulbacki/Scott Kacelowicz – CA
7. Corey Buletza – LF/RF
8. Garrison Rausch – CF
9. Mike Dugan/Jeff Kistle/Brett Wigder – UT
SPs: Phil Rummel, Darin Gorski, Garrison Rausch, Derek Reis

Mansfield:
1. Matt Young – 2B
2. Ryan Giblin – SS
3. Abram Yeakel – 1B
4. Justin Garcia – DH
5. Chris Miller – CF
6. Ryan Riley – LF
7. Nate Grove – RF
8. Drew Bair – 3B
9. Tony Battisti/Justin Baer – CA
SPs: Justin Garcia, Shane Ryan, Irvin Sleighter, Eric Rosenberger

Scouting Report
The Golden Bears do have the pitching to match up with the Mounties, but the starters are going to have to be on top of their games if KU hopes to win a few of the games.

Darin Gorski [Pictured] (4-2 3.11), Phil Rummel (4-1 4.15), Garrison Rausch (0-2 5.40), and Derek Reis (0-1 2.49) were the starters against Bloomsburg last weekend and are likely to get the nod again this weekend.

James Quigley (.440-0-4) has been outstanding since his return from early-season injury problems, and leads the team with a .440 average. Chad Lightcap (.416-4-19) is not far behind in the hitting department and leads the offense with 19 RBIs and 24 runs scored. Matt Kulbacki (.328-5-17) is tops in the homerun department, while Mike Kacelowicz (.292-1-10), Corey Buletza (.270-1-13), and Mark Renda (.263-0-13) have been running all over opposing catches, each tallying 11 steals. Jared Frey (.404-0-7) has been streaking since the start of divisional play, while freshmen Mike Dugan (.339-1-9) and Brett Wigder (.308-0-14) round out the Golden Bears hitting over the .300 mark.

The Mansfield pitching rotation is led by Justin Garcia (3-1 2.25), who leads the team’s starters in ERA. Shane Ryan (2-0 2.45), Irvin Sleighter (2-1 2.67), and Eric Rosenberger (3-2 3.45) are likely to get the other starts. In nine appearances, Tyler Noel (4-0 2.18), who heads up the bullpen, leads the team in wins, ERA, and strikeouts (20).

The Mounties top hitter is Abram Yeakel (.515-3-32), who leads the team in RBIs, batting average, doubles (10), and steals (8). Justin Garcia (.311-4-27) leads the team in homeruns and is second in RBIs. Ryan Giblin (.443-0-22), Nate Grove (.362-0-7), and Chris Miller (.343-3-21) are each hitting above .340 and could cause problems for the KU pitching staff.

Outlook
The Golden Bears will have their hands full with Mansfield—one of the top teams in the PSAC East. The Mounties enjoy some excellent depth in their pitching staff and have eight regulars hitting over .500. As a team, Mansfield is hitting a whopping .347.

It won’t be easy, but KU does have the talent to at least split with the Mounties. Mansfield is the obvious favorite, but manager Chris Blum and company won’t go down without a fight. Quigley and Lightcap are a dangerous duo in the middle of a respectable lineup that most certainly can put up a bunch of runs at any given time. The MU lineup is stellar, but can be dealt with. I’d expect KU to win at least one of the four games, but I have no doubt they can win three. This series should tell us a lot about the Golden Bears chances to compete for this year’s PSAC crown.

#18 Kutztown set to take on #8 Bloomsburg

What: Kutztown Golden Bears @ Bloomsburg Huskies
When: Sunday, April 6, 2008 @ 1:00 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: North Campus Field on the campus of Kutztown University

Game Info
In what will likely prove to be their most telling games of the season to this point, the Golden Bears will head to Bloomsburg on Sunday afternoon to take on the PSAC East-leading Huskies. The doubleheader, set to begin at 1 p.m., will match the top two teams in the Eastern division. The Huskies, ranked eighth in division II, lead the East with a 5-1 record, while the 18^th-ranked Golden Bears are right there with them at 5-1. The doubleheader was originally scheduled for Friday night, but was moved to Sunday due to inclement weather.

KU enters the game off a split with East Stroudsburg on Wednesday, as they were upset 6-2 in game one, before bouncing back with a 7-1 victory in game two. They sport a 28-6 overall record in 2008.

Meanwhile, the Huskies enter the game off a doubleheader with West Chester on Saturday. BU won game one 2-1 before falling 5-4 in game two. On Wednesday, they swept a talented Shippensburg squad by scores of 3-2 and 6-4. Entering the weekend at 25-2, the Huskies have the least amount of losses among the top 25 teams in the nation (according to the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll).

Last season, KU won three of the four matchups between the teams. At North Campus Field, the Golden Bears fell 9-0 before winning 7-1. Later in the season, KU won 3-2 and 5-2 on the road.

Probable Starting Lineups
Kutztown:
1. Kim Morrison – 2B
2. Maria Schiavo – LF
3. Steph Denlinger – 1B
4. Ashley Fitzgerald – CA/DH
5. Krista Cameron – 3B
6. Krista Tedjeske – SS
7. Caitlin Hague – CA/DH
8. Maggie Reifsnyder – RF
9. Kathy Gregg – CF
SPs: Kait Arbogast & Monica Glomb/Mary Hoch

Bloomsburg:
1. Tara Reed – SS
2. Mandy Koch – 2B
3. Lacy Mauro – LF
4. Jenna Hampton – DH
5. Kayleen Sidisky – 3B
6. Nikki Shiko – CF
7. Casey Massimini – RF
8. Tiff Corliss – CA
9. Jess Rosin – 1B
SPs: Ashley Lynn & Sheelin Fisher

Scouting Report
In what has been a rare occurrence this season, KU is not the favorite to sweep the series. The Golden Bears played some of the top team’s in the nation earlier this year when they played in tournaments down south, but those games were mostly tune-ups for each team’s respective conference games. The Huskies have some top-notch offensive threats and one of the best pitching staffs around. The teams are relatively even and, since there hasn’t been too much roster turnover since last season for either team, both games are likely to be close right down to the finish.

The Golden Bears will look to the pitching trifecta of Kait Arbogast (14-4 1.93), Monica Glomb (7-2 1.97), and Mary Hoch (5-0 1.37) to keep them in games, while counting on the high-octane offense to power them to victories. Steph Denlinger (.387-7-32), Ashley Fitzgerald (.424-10-32), and Krista Cameron (.363-4-26) can all hit the ball out of the park at any given moment and they will need to provide that power on Friday. Kim Morrison (.262-3-14) will leadoff for KU and despite her recent struggles, she’s a proven hitter who can break out for 3-4 hits on any given day. Maria Schiavo (.340-0-12) will be called upon to move base runners out of the two hole, but is another threat to set the table with a big hit at any time. Krista Tedjeske (.231-1-14), Caitlin Hague (.250-1-9), Maggie Reifsnyder (.231-2-5), and Kathy Gregg (.298-5-14) are all capable hitters who will look to provide runs from the bottom of the order.

The Huskies will rely on their superstar pitcher Ashley Lynn (11-1 0.67) to carry them to the Promised Land. The senior has allowed opponents to hit just .212 and has struck out 81 in 83 innings of work. Sheelin Fisher (8-1 1.10) will likely start game two, while Tara Reed (6-0 0.78) rounds out a stellar pitching staff.

BU’s offensive attack is led by seven regulars who are hitting above .300. Nikki Shiko (.406-2-9) and Tara Reed (.333-1-12) lead the team in runs scored, while Jenna Hampton (.327-2-16) has the most RBIs. Shiko, Hampton, and Mandy Koch (.347-2-8) each have a team-high two homers. Tiff Corliss (.396-0-6), Lacy Mauro (.359-0-11), and Lori Neyhard (.320-0-8) will also be counted on for run production.

In order to compete with the Huskies, the Golden Bears will need a bounce back game from Kait Arbogast, as well as, more production from the offense than they’ve been delivering. If I had to bet, I’d put money on the doubleheader ending up a split, but both games will likely be close, so they could easily go either way. The Golden Bears have more pop than the Huskies, so don’t be shocked if KU wins at least one of the games thanks to a clutch homerun.

Softball team looks to make statement

What: Shippensburg Red Raiders @ Kutztown Golden Bears
When: Monday, April 7, 2008 @ 2:30 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: North Campus Field on the campus of Kutztown University

Game Info
A few years ago, Shippensburg was the leader of the softball pack in the PSAC East. Since then, KU head coach Judy Lawes has stormed Canada and the Denlinger family to push the Golden Bears to the top. In 2008, both teams are contenders in the division and we should have a much clearer outlook on the rest of the season following Monday’s twinball action.

The Golden Bears enter the doubleheader at 28-6 overall this season (pending Sunday's results against Bloomsburg) and are coming off Wednesday’s home split against East Stroudsburg. KU was upset 6-2 in game one before storming back to a 7-1 game two victory.

The Red Raiders enter the game at 21-13 overall and enter the game after being swept by the Bloomsburg Huskies on Wednesday by scores of 3-2 and 6-4.

Both teams trail Bloomsburg in the PSAC East, but KU has yet to face the Huskies (doubleheader set for Friday postponed until Sunday), and this is the first meeting between the Raiders and Golden Bears. Bloomsburg sits at 4-0 with KU and Shippensburg just behind at 5-1 and 4-2, respectively.

Last season, the Golden Bears won all four meeting between the teams. KU won 10-3 and 10-1 on the road, before returning to North Campus Field for 4-2 and 9-3 victories.

Probable Starting Lineups
Kutztown:
1. Kim Morrison – 2B
2. Maria Schiavo – LF
3. Steph Denlinger – 1B
4. Ashley Fitzgerald – CA/DH
5. Krista Cameron – 3B
6. Krista Tedjeske – SS
7. Caitlin Hague – CA/DH
8. Maggie Reifsnyder – RF
9. Kathy Gregg – CF
SPs: Kait Arbogast & Monica Glomb/Mary Hoch

Shippensburg:
1. Liz Good – RF
2. Sarah Stengle – LF/DH
3. Hope Cornell – SS
4. Lori Knopf – DH
5. Courtney Steele – 3B
6. Lisamarie Ramagli – 1B
7. Amanda Bardo – 2B
8. Jillian Mullan/Chelsea Carson – OF
9. Rachel Wedell - CA
SPs: Lori Knopf & Danielle Shields

Scouting Report
The Golden Bears will look to the pitching trifecta of Kait Arbogast (14-4 1.93), Monica Glomb (7-2 1.97), and Mary Hoch (5-0 1.37) to keep them in games, while counting on the high-octane offense to power them to victories. Steph Denlinger (.387-7-32), Ashley Fitzgerald (.424-10-32), and Krista Cameron (.363-4-26) can all hit the ball out of the park at any given moment and they will need to provide that power on Friday. Kim Morrison (.262-3-14) will leadoff for KU and despite her recent struggles, she’s a proven hitter who can break out for 3-4 hits on any given day. Maria Schiavo (.340-0-12) will be called upon to move base runners out of the two hole, but is another threat to set the table with a big hit at any time. Krista Tedjeske (.231-1-14), Caitlin Hague (.250-1-9), Maggie Reifsnyder (.231-2-5), and Kathy Gregg (.298-5-14) are all capable hitters who will look to provide runs from the bottom of the order.

The Raiders are led by the talented pitching duo of Danielle Shields and Lori Knopf, who will each likely get a start on Saturday. Shields (10-3 1.60) leads the pitching staff with 70 strikeouts and is allowing opposing hitters to bat just .194 against her. Knopf (7-5 1.97) has struck out 65 and opponents are batting just .214 against her.

Knopf (.398-4-30) also does it as the plate, leading the team in batting average and doubles (9). She is tied with Hope Cornell (.356-5-30) for a team-high 30 RBIs. Cornell and Courtney Steele (.337-5-16) are tied with a team-best five homers. Chelsea Carson (.381-0-5), Sarah Stengl (.299-0-15), Amanda Bardo (.276-3-17), and Jillian Mullan (.269-0-6) are among the other regulars hitting about the .250 mark.

Outlook
A big day against the Raiders could be a big momentum and confidence builder heading into the rest of the divisional season. It won’t be easy against the always competitive Raiders, but KU is the better team. If the pitching staff comes to play and the heart of the order does their thing, there is no doubt the Golden Bears can make a big statement in the East.

Softball splits with ESU

Recap:
Wednesday, April 2 vs. East Stroudsburg:
Game 1: L 2-6
The Warriors exploded to five combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings en route to a 6-2 victory in game one. ESU jumped all over Kait Arbogast in the fourth inning, forcing her to leave the game after allowing three runs on four hits in three innings of work. Mary Hoch entered the game and allowed two more earned runs on six hits in the final four innings. The Golden Bears, who began a rally in the bottom of the seventh but could only manage one run, had just six hits in the game.

Game 2: W 7-1
The Golden Bears jumped ahead 3-0 in the third inning before adding four insurance runs in the fifth frame to seal the 7-1 game two victory. Ashley Fitzgerald carried the offense, registering a 2-for-3 day at the plate, which included a solo homer in the second inning and a three-run shot in the fifth. Monica Glomb earned the winning, tossing a complete game five hitter. She allowed just one earned run and struck out nine.

What we liked:
Game two saw outstanding performances from both Monica Glomb and Ashley Fitzgerald. Glomb had one of her best outings as a Golden Bear, allowing just one run and striking out nine. She will be counted on to come up big in key situations as the season goes on, and, if Wednesday was any indication of things to come, coach Judy Lawes should feel good about Glomb. Fitzgerald had three hits on five at bats in the doubleheader and all but single-handedly carried KU to a game two victory. She has been the biggest threat at the plate for the Golden Bears in 2008 and there is no reason to believe that she won’t continue to perform at this level. Maria Schiavo was 2-of-4 at the plate, while Kathy Gregg was 2-of-5 and scored three runs.

What we didn’t like:
Kait Arbogast has allowed three earned runs in each of her last two games, which could be worrisome. The sophomore ace pitched most of KU’s innings last season, and, although she has help from Mary Hoch and Glomb this season, she is still needs to be at the top of her game if KU has a chance against the likes of Lock Haven and Bloomsburg. The Golden Bears’ offensive struggles on Wednesday were the product of poor outputs from big bats Steph Denlinger [pictured] (1-for-5) and Krista Cameron (1-of-7), leadoff hitter Kim Morrison (1-of-7), and freshman Krista Tedjeske (0-for-6), who is counted on to provide protection for Cameron in the six spot.

Impact:
The split, coupled with Bloomsburg’s sweep of Shippensburg, drops KU from the top spot in the PSAC East. The Huskies (4-0) lead KU (5-1) and SU (4-2) with plenty of games still to be played. ESU has proved to be one of the worst teams in the East so far this season, so the loss could prove costly with the competition for the top seed in the division sure to be a dogfight. The players who have been struggling/struggled on Wednesday are proven veterans in most cases and there is no doubt in my mind that they will be back to form this weekend when KU continues it’s divisional schedule with two of the biggest doubleheaders of the season. The Golden Bears will head to Bloomsburg on Friday and return home to face Shippensburg on Saturday.

KU looks to dispose of struggling Warriors

What: East Stroudsburg Warriors @ Kutztown Golden Bears
When: Wednesday, April 2, 2008 @ 2:30 p.m. (Doubleheader)
Where: North Campus Field on the campus of Kutztown University

Game Info
The Golden Bears (27-5) will head into Wednesday’s doubleheader with East Stroudsburg as the top team in the PSAC East. The 18^th ranked team in the nation swept Millersville and Mansfield this past weekend, which tied them at 4-0 with Shippensburg atop the division. KU has won 18 of it’s last 19 games and six straight, including a pair of 9-0 wins at Millersville on Friday and a pair of 4-3 wins at home against Mansfield on Saturday.

East Stroudsburg enters the game at 6-17 overall, the worst record in the PSAC East. The Warriors have lost six straight games, including 3-0 and 5-1 losses at Bloomsburg on Saturday and 7-1 and 6-2 losses at Shippensburg on Sunday. At 0-4 in the PSAC East, ESU is tied with Mansfield and Millersville in the basement of the division.

Last year, KU won five of the team’s six meetings, but ESU was the team who ended the Golden Bears’ season when they eliminated them from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament.

Probable Starting Lineups
Kutztown:
1. Kim Morrison – 2B
2. Maria Schiavo – LF
3. Steph Denlinger – 1B
4. Ashley Fitzgerald – CA/DH
5. Krista Cameron – 3B
6. Krista Tedjeske – SS
7. Caitlin Hague – CA/DH
8. Maggie Reifsnyder – RF
9. Kathy Gregg – CF
SPs: Kait Arbogast & Monica Glomb/Mary Hoch

ESU:
1. Jamie Mingis – LF
2. Brittany Racek – 2B
3. Briana Malachowski – SS
4. Ali Hale – 1B
5. Amanda Feist – CA
6. Candice Pastor – 3B
7. Kara Darcey – RF
8. Laura Snyder – CF
9. Sam Bastian – DH
SPs: Kristen Halvorsen & Jackie Battaglino

Scouting Report
The Golden Bears are the far superior team here and should be able to easily dispose of the rival Warriors. KU is far better offensively and now, with the additions of Mary Hoch and Monica Glomb, have the pitching depth necessary to win even if Kait Arbogast does not have the ball.

Ashley Fitzgerald (.415-8-28) has flown under the radar over the past few seasons due to the almost surreal number put up by Steph Denlinger (.398-7-31), but she has led the offense in 2008. Krista Cameron (.379-3-25) has been stellar in protecting Fitzgerald, while Krista Tedjeske (.247-1-14), Caitlin Hague (.250-1-9), Maggie Reifsnyder (.250-2-5), and Kathy Gregg (.291-5-13) [pictured] round out what is possibly the toughest lineup in the PSAC. Not to be forgotten are the tablesetters: Kim Morrison (.270-3-14) and Maria Schiavo (.333-0-12), who will called upon to get on base for the meat of the Kutztown order.

Arbogast (14-3 1.77) has certainly not been a victim of a sophomore slump as she’s proved she can be the ace of the KU pitching staff. Hoch (5-0 1.17) has been lights out as a rookie, while Glomb (6-2 2.10) has joined with Hoch to form a deadly freshmen tandem.

As a team, KU is hitting .308 and has belted 32 homers. The team ERA is a whopping 1.84 and opponents are batting just .212 against the KU pitching staff.

The Warriors will look to counter the KU offense with the pitching duo of Kristen Halvorsen (3-8 2.77) and Jackie Battaglino (2-5 2.67). KU saw a lot of Halvorsen last season, while Battaglino made just four appearances in 2007.

The ESU offensive load will be carried by Briana Malachowski (.345-1-2), who leads the team in batting average. Brittany Racek (.294-1-11) has driven in a team-high 11 runs and scored a team-best 10 runs. She will be counted on to provide a majority of the pop from the front end of the ESU lineup. Leadoff hitter Jamie Mingis (.263-1-4) is hitting just .263, but has walked a team-high eight times. Other than those three, the ESU lineup has been rather unimpressive in 2008. Other than Sam Bastian (.300-0-1), who has just 10 at-bats this season, none of the remaining probable starters have a batting average higher than .222.

The Golden Bears are one of the top teams in the nation and should have no trouble with the Warriors. A loss in either game would be a big shocker, as ESU will be lucky to get out of the fifth inning if KU comes in focused. There is no reason to believe this will be a trap game for the Golden Bears, since most players are back from last year’s team—the team whose season was ended by the Warriors.