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BUTLER, Pa. – Junior catcher Matt Albaugh (Hatfield, PA/North Penn) (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) of the Kutztown University baseball team hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning that lifted KU to a 4-2 victory over West Chester University Thursday afternoon in the second round of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships.

The Golden Bears (34-15) move onto the semifinal game on Thursday May 4 at 6:30 p.m.  Thier opponent will be determined in an elimination game between Millersville and Mercyhurst at 12:30 p.m.  14th-ranked West Chester (34-10) will face Slippery Rock in an elimination game Thursday morning with first pitch set for 9:30 a.m.
 
Albaugh's shot to deep left field capped off a four-run inning for the Golden Bears.  With two runners on, Albaugh stepped in the box and drove the first strike he saw over the fence in the larger-than-average Pullman Park.  It brought a significant momentum shift in the game that had the Golden Bears up and shouting for the rest of the game.
 
“We had guys in scoring position and I knew I had to have a big at-bat,” Albaugh said.  “I came up trying to get something up, and I got a good pitch to handle.  I was thankful to get the opportunity and this is one of the greatest emotional moments I've had in my career.”
 
Junior left hander Damon Valloreo (Vincentown, N.J./Burlington CCC) (Vincentown, N.J./Burlington CCC) got the start for KU and did a tremendous job against the second-best hitting team in the PSAC.  The southpaw made his first conference start since Apr. 13 against East Stroudsburg and was able to keep the game under his control.  In six innings of work, Valloreo surrendered five hits and two runs while striking out a pair of Golden Rams.
 
Valloreo's 93 pitches were the second-most this season behind a 104-pitch performance on Mar. 30 against Millersville, when he earned his first win in the maroon-and-gold.  Thursday's victory evened his record at 3-3.  In Valloreo's last 14 innings, he has allowed just four runs with seven strikeouts.
 
“We worked through some things throughout the game, but me and Todd (Rubendall) were able to get certain pitches working down the stretch,” Valloreo said.  “Todd has been calling great games for me all year.  We have a great deal of confidence in each other and that is a main reason why we have worked so well together.”
 
KU entered the bottom of the sixth inning down 2-0 to the Golden Rams.  Brett Hauck (Kutztown, PA/Kutztown) (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) stepped in the box for the first time on Thursday to lead off the inning.  The junior took a pitch from West Chester's Joe Gunkel in the back to put the leadoff man on.  Cody Montz (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Schuylkill Haven) (Schuylkill Haven, Pa./Schuylkill Haven) was also hit by a pitch.  Shayne Houck (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown) singled through the right side to score an aggressive-running Montz from second base.  Albaugh cleaned up his fellow teammates to give KU its first lead of the day.
 
“I can't describe it,” Valloreo commented on his thoughts after seeing Albaugh's homer go over the fence.  “I was so excited, for Matt more than anything else.  I was happy I was able to keep us in the game, but it was Matt who put the energy back in this team.  The morale of this team is at an all-time high.”
 
Sophomore Jason Henderson (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) (Douglassville, Pa./Daniel Boone) and senior Trent Mertz (Kutztown, PA/Kutztown) (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) closed out the ninth inning for KU.  Henderson sat down the first two Golden Rams but allowed a two-out hit to Reid Pulford to bring in Mertz.  The Kutztown native struck out his only batter faced to pick up his second save in as many days.
 
Connor Wing (West Chester, PA/Unionville) (West Chester, Pa./Unionville) pitched two innings of relief for KU and let up one hit while facing the minimum six batters.  The freshman right hander has let up one run in his last 14.1 innings while striking out 13 batters.
 
A significant play that won't necessary been seen in the box score occurred in the first inning with two Golden Rams in scoring position.  Justin Lamborn hit a screamer towards the hole on the right side, but a diving Ricky Gorrell (Royersford, PA/Spring-Ford) (Royersford, Pa./Spring-Ford) ended the threat and received a standing ovation from his teammates on his way back to the dugout.
 
Kutztown produced just four hits in the victory, largely due to the performance of West Chester pitcher Gunkel.  The PSAC East Pitcher of the Year threw eight innings and suffered his first loss of the season.  He struck out four batters, but KU made the most of its opportunity in the sixth inning.
 
“Our team really came to life in the later innings,” Albaugh said.  “Gunkel threw really well for them and once we got a couple of guys on, you could just sense everyone getting excited hoping something big was about to happen.”
 
West Chester scored both of its runs in the third inning.  Jack Provine hit an RBI single to plate WCU's first run, and a groundball double play off the bat of PSAC East Player of the Year Joe Wendle scored its second and final run of the game.
 
Team morale and confidence is at an all-time high for the Golden Bears.  
 
“I just feel great I could help the team out,” Valloreo said of his first playoff victory at Kutztown.  “I love these guys and I'm just glad I could get the win for us.  Our goal is to get back to the World Series and I think today will be a big part of it.”