KUTZTOWN, Pa. --Kutztown University used a 16-hit attack to gain a 12-3 win over Shepherd College to win the championship game of the 2002 North Atlantic Regional Tournament at North Campus Field in Kutztown on Sunday afternoon.
The Rams jumped out to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the third and fourth innings.
Jason Rhea (Berkeley Springs (Pensacola JC)/Abingdon, VA) led off the third with a single. He moved to second on a sacrifice from Zac Couturiaux (Linganore (Allegany College)/Union Bridge, MD), went to third on a single from Preston Miller (Turner Ashby/Harrisonburg, VA), and scored on a Lucas Taylor (Keyser (Potomac State/Davis & Elkins)/Keyser, WV) single. Mike Spry (Kent County/Chestertown, MD) cracked a solo leadoff homer in the fourth.
Kutztown posted four runs on four hits in the sixth to take a 4-2 advantage.
The Golden Bears added two more runs in the seventh on RBI's from Dave Devereux and Dave Rode to take a 6-2 lead.
Shepherd added its last run in the bottom of the seventh when Miller scored on a fielder's choice from Brian Powell (Allegany (Allegany College)/Cumberland, MD).
Kutztown erupted with six runs in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach. Dennis Smeding hit a two-run homer and Chris Lauwers added a three-runs shot to power the six-hit barrage.
Miller led Shepherd with a 3-for-4 effort, while Charlie Drummond (Strasburg/Strasburg, VA), Jake Ellifritz (Keyser (Potomac State/Coastal Carolina)/Keyser, WV), and Jason Walck (Waynesboro/Waynesboro, PA) added two hits each.
Kutztown starter Rob McQuen went the distance to improve to 3-6 on the year. Kutztown handed Shepherd's Jimmy Jackson (Old Mill/Millersville, MD) (7-1) his first loss of the year.
Shepherd completes the season with a 37-12-1 record, while Kutztown moves to 35-22. The Golden Bears will face Florida Southern (43-11) in the first round of the NCAA Division II National Championships in Montgomery, AL, on Saturday, May 25.
Kutztown 000 004 206 12 16 1
Shepherd 001 100 100 3 12 1
McQuen and Kuklick; Jackson, Collins (6), Fitzwater (9) and Drummond.
HR: KU - Smeding (9th, one on), Lauwers (9th, two on) SC - Spry (4th, none on)
WP: McQuen (3-6)
LP: Jackson (7-1)
All-Tournament Team
Catcher- Charlie Drummond (SC)
First Base - Jake Ellifritz (SC)
Second Base - Jason Walck (SC)
Shortstop - Al Fitch (KU)
Third Base - Eddie Frame (MU)
Outfield - Mike Spry (SC)
Outfield -Dennis Smeding (KU)
Designated Hitter - Dave Devereux (KU)
Pitcher - Brian Renner (SC)
Pitcher - Rob McCuen (KU)
Most Valuable Player - Brian Renner (SC)
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