Mountain Cats Defeat Kutztown to Advance at Regional Tournament

05/17/2008

Jon Moore (Leechburg, Pa.) tossed a complete-game, five-hit shutout as Pitt Johnstown (37-18-1) eliminated defending champion Kutztown (31-26) 8-0 in an NCAA North Atlantic Regional baseball tournament contest at Johnstown's Point Stadium.
Ninth-place hitter Drew Shaulis (Somerset, Pa.) gave the Mountain Cats a 3-for-3 day with a pair of runs scored. Freshman Nick Barbera (Harrisburg, Pa.), the eighth spot batter, added two hits and as many runs as the Pitt Johnstown attack was sparked from the bottom.
Pitt Johnstown took the lead by virtue of an unearned run in the second. Adam Plummer (Bellwood, Pa.) singled to open the inning and moved to third when Matt Hanley (Delmont, Pa.) reached base by error. Chris Turka (Natrona Heights, Pa.) grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, but Plummer crossed the plate for a 1-0 Mountain Cat advantage.
Barbera and Shaulis ignited a two-run third for the Mountain Cats. Barbera singled, followed by a Shaulis two-bagger. A Dan Delsignore (Johnstown, Pa.) ground out scored Barbera. Matt Petrowsky (Johnstown, Pa.) then made it 3-0 with a run-scoring single.
Pitt Johnstown broke open the contest with a big four-run fourth inning. Barbera and Josh Campanella (Allison Park, Pa.) produced run-scoring hits, while Delsignore added a sacrifice fly as the lead swelled to 7-0.
Hanley's eighth inning homer to left-center field closed out the scoring.
Moore stranded ten Kutztown runners on base as he became the first WVIAC pitcher to hurl a shutout at the regional level since 2002. The freshman struck out four while improving his record to 7-1.
Kutztown starter Derick Reis (4-3) suffered the loss. The senior was responsible for nine hits and six earned runs in four innings pitched.
Pitt Johnstown faces West Chester in a 7:00 p.m. elimination contest. The winner advances to Sunday's championship round versus unbeaten Shippensburg.

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