Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University baseball team came within one strike of a doubleheader sweep against the No. 14 team in Division II on a picturesque Friday afternoon from Fairchild Field before ultimately earning a split with the visiting Kutztown Golden Bears, winning the opener, 5-4, before dropping the nightcap, 4-3.

Shippensburg (5-16, 1-1 PSAC East) won its divisional opener by getting hits from eight of the nine batters in the lineup along with an effective pitching performance from sophomore Ryan Rehman. The Red Raiders had the Golden Bears down to their final strike in Game 2 before a two-out, two-run single up the middle by pinch hitter Mike Bucklin helped Kutztown to the victory.

Three Red Raiders had multiple hits in the opener. Senior third baseman Kevin Scholly reached base all three times he came to the plate and contributed an RBI-single among his two hits. Sophomore second baseman Eric Herman also had two hits, the first of which was an RBI-double in the second inning that put SU up 1-0.

One inning later, the Red Raiders built their lead to three runs after junior first baseman Kris Kullman hit a solo home run to right field and Scholly singled home sophomore designated hitter Jimmy Miller. Miller's heady base running had him on third base for the RBI-single after he stole an extra base off a walk to the previous batter.

Kutztown (11-3, 1-1 PSAC East) rallied to tie the score with two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth before Shippensburg re-established the lead in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out rally. With a runner on second base and two outs, Scholly drew a four-pitch walk and freshman catcher Kyle Hollingsworth hit a 3-1 pitch up the middle for an RBI-single.

An exquisite bunting clinic by two Red Raider hitters put another run across the plate. On his first pitch, Herman dropped down a drag bunt up the third-base line that stayed fair after the Golden Bear fielders allowed it to roll. With the bases now loaded and still two outs on the scoreboard, sophomore shortstop Ben Miller took one ball before laying down a beautiful bunt of his own that rolled past the pitcher and went for another single.

Rehman induced 10 groundball outs in the opening game while pitching six innings for his first victory of the season. He scattered seven hits and two walks while allowing just two earned runs. Sophomore Ted Williams entered in the seventh inning after the leadoff batter reached and finished the frame for his first save.

In the second game, the Red Raider hitters struggled at the plate against Kutztown pitchers Tyler Persun and Jonathan Grosse, mustering only three hits. SU did have a 2-1 lead through five innings after a two-run error on the bottom of third inning after a comebacker off the bat of sophomore right fielder Cody Kulp.

Sophomore Nick Umberger battled through six innings for the Red Raiders, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out seven batters. He allowed one run in the top of the sixth inning that tied the score at 2-2, but the Red Raiders took a 3-2 lead into the final inning after a leadoff double from Kullman and an RBI-single from Kulp.

Williams took the mound in the top of the seventh inning and struck out the first batter he faced on four pitches. A walk and a fielder's choice ensued, leaving one runner on first base with two outs in the inning. After getting two strikes against Kutztown's Mike Kacelowicz, the veteran shortstop worked the count to 2-2 and laced a bender into left-center field for a double. An intentional walk loaded the bases and setup a showdown between Williams and pinch-hitter Mike Bucklin.

Williams got two quick strikes on Bucklin and then threw a fastball high that made the count 1-2. Then, Williams spun a dancing breaking ball that came as close to a called third strike as possible without actually being called. On the next pitch, Bucklin sent a shot up the middle that ultimately gave the Golden Bears the win.

The Red Raiders will travel to Kutztown for another doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.