Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
WEST LAWN, Pa. – Kutztown University swept two games from West Chester University in the NCAA Atlantic Regional final Sunday afternoon to win the weekend tournament and earn a berth in the NCAA Division II national semifinals in Cary, N.C. May 22-29.
West Chester (39-14) needed just one win on Sunday to defend its regional title. However, Kutztown (41-13) took game one by a 14-5 margin, before capturing game two, 2-0.
The Golden Rams’ season comes to a close with the doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Golden Bears. West Chester’s loss in game one ended a seven-game winning streak in the regional tournament for the Rams. West Chester was making its fifth straight appearance in the regional tilte game, but came up short.
Joe Wendle went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI in the opener. Nick Spisak and Brandon Wolfe also contributed a pair of hits.
Craig Carroll (3-1) suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in five innings of work. Kutztown’s Ryan Cassidy (3-1) picked up the win. Mike Bucklin earned his third save of the season.
In the nightcap, the top two seeds in the region turned to their aces on short rest and neither hurler disappointed. West Chester’s Jordan Lehman (7-1) was the hard-luck loser, surrendering two runs on just four hits. A triple by Mike Kacelowicz in the bottom of the seventh drove in a run, and he would later score on a ground out for all the scoring in the second game.
Nathan Reed (6-3) tossed eight innings of four-hit ball to get the regional-clinching victory. Adam Maini earned his third save of the year with a perfect ninth.
Bob Stumpo was 2-for-3 in the nightcap while Kyle Orensky and Matt Baer each had a hit. Baer hit his 13th home run of the season in the first game, tying the school’s single season record.
