JOHNSTOWN, PA (May 1, 2010) – Now, that's how a championship baseball game should be played. Both California University of Pennsylvania and Kutztown University battled each other like Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier in their prime. Instead of the “Thrilla in Manilla” this was the “Point Stadium Pulse-Pounder.” (CLICK HERE TO READ THE GAME STORY)
In the baseball version of the Lakers-Celtics from the '80s, the Golden Bears and Vulcans stood toe-to-toe with one another until Cal's Evan King dropped a soft line drive into rightfield with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. That hit gave Cal the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title with a thrilling, 10-9, victory at steamy Point Stadium Saturday afternoon. The game featured four lead changes and three ties.
Despite the defeat, the Kutztown baseball team displayed an effort to be proud of. The maroon-and-gold was fearless, relentless and superb during the three-hour slugfest that had fans biting nails, pacing rapidly and jumping up and down in their seats. Kutztown extended so much energy that it barely had enough in the tank to complete the post-game handshake, place their equipment in their bags and hug well-wishers.
Even though Kutztown has been highly ranked all season in both the regional and national polls, it has taken nothing for granted; treating each game and each opponent as if they were the Yankees and it was Game 7 of the World Series.
“It was a terrific day for PSAC baseball,” Kutztown coach Chris Blum said. “This is how a championship game should be played. The top of our order has come through for us all season long and today the guys at the end of the order did an outstanding job of battling and coming through with some big hits.”
The biggest hit belonged to sophomore Cody Montz (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Schuylkill Haven), who lined a two-strike, two-out curveball into rightfield that scored senior Mike Kacelowicz (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain) with the tying run in the top of the ninth inning. Montz enjoyed a memorable afternoon for the Golden Bears as he had two hits and drove in three runs from the No. 9 spot in the batting order.
Kacelowicz had three hits from the No. 6 spot in the order and senior Matt Kulbacki (Hershey, PA/Hershey) started a three-run rally in the top of the sixth inning when he drew a one-out walk. So while the Golden Bears top of the order has put up numbers that would make a fantasy baseball owner smile with glee, the bottom half of KU's order was as steady as a pick-up truck on an open road.
“Playing in these types of games are always the best,” Montz said. “I mean, you always want to win, but we have a bigger picture ahead of us. During my at-bat, I swung at two bad pitches and got myself down in the count. After I fouled off a couple of fastballs, I knew the pitcher would come back with a slider or a curveball. Luckily, I put a good swing on the ball and put it over the shortstop's head.”
The Golden Bears (37-12 overall) fell behind 5-2 entering the sixth inning. However, true to their nature and spirit, the Golden Bears continued to cheer loudly, crack one-liners, lean over the dugout fence and encourage each other. Kutztown is never silenced until the final out. That's been their special trademark all season. The Golden Bears enjoy each other's company and even when things went against them versus Cal, they always carried a confident belief that they would hoist the PSAC championship trophy.
While that didn't happen, the Golden Bears displayed championship grit, heart and character. Kutztown most likely will play at least two more games when it competes in the NCAA Atlantic Regional. The selections for the NCAA Division II regionals will be announced on Sunday May 9. It has been a season filled with numerous highlights, memories, laughs, sweat and practical jokes.
“This championship game was everything you dream of as a player and more,” Kulbacki said. “The two best teams in the conference were playing today. As a team, we are who we are and we never give up until the final out. We feed off each other. We lost today, but we left everything we had out on the field.”
--KU--
