KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The Mansfield Mountaineers baseball team (12-24, 5-17 PSAC East) traveled to Kutztown (13-26, 7-15 PSAC East) on Saturday afternoon to begin their four-game weekend series with the Golden Bears.

GAME 1

After a smooth first two innings, Mansfield starter Austin Lewis found himself in some trouble as Kutztown scored four runs in the bottom of the third.

In the top of the fourth, the Mountaineers offense came alive, tying the game at four. Ryan Verbonitz started the innings with a walk, and Jacob Houtz followed with a single to put runners on first and second with one out.

Cole Serfass took the 0-0 pitch over the left field wall to pull the Mounties within one. 

Brett Stewart singled to keep Momentum going before Shay Gustafson brought him in with an RBI single tying the game at 4-4.

The Golden Bears responded quickly, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kutztown rattled off three RBI singles to knock Lewis out of the game before adding two more thanks to RBI walks.

Trailing 9-4 entering the fifth inning, Mansfield looked to claw back scoring one run in the inning. Serfass doubled down the right field line to drive in Verbonitz.

Mansfield's offense once again put up a crooked number in the sixth, scoring five runs to take a 10-9 lead. 

Conner Adams singled and Shay Gustafson walked to begin the inning. Ryan Scott recorded the first RBI off the inning with a single to left.

With the bases loaded and one out, Houtz mashed a grand slam over the left-field wall to volt the Mountaineers ahead.

Joseph Gleason came out of the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth to lock down the slim one-run Mansfield lead. Gleason recorded a six-out save allowing no hits and striking out three over the final two innings of play.

Brad Hood was credited with the win, throwing 1.1 innings and allowing just one hit. 

GAME 2

Tyler Swineford started game two for the Mounties and threw 5.0 innings, giving up eight hits, and allowing one earned run.

Kutztown opened the scoring in the bottom of the first thanks to a bases loaded balk.

The Golden Bears added two more in the bottom of the second on an RBI groundout and RBI double.

Another big inning for the Mountaineers led to a seven run outburst in the third. Houtz started the scoring for Mansfield with a two RBI single through the left side.

Adams continued his successful day at the plate with the second two RBI single of the inning to put the Mounties up 4-3. 

Zachary Shertzer got in on the action with a bases clearing double to score Gustafson, Adams, and Ryan Sekulski giving Mansfield a four run lead.

KU scored two runs in the bottom half of the third on a two-run homer to draw closer, making the game 7-5.

The Golden Bears scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at seven headed into the seventh inning.

In the top half of the seventh Verbonitz put the Mounties back on top 8-7 with an RBI single that scored Houtz.

Alex Bucolo earned the win, recording the final five outs and securing a day one sweep over Kutztown.

UP NEXT:

Mansfield finishes their series with the Golden Bears on Sunday, April 21. The doubleheader from Joseph Shaute Field is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.