Box Score NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Lock Haven University baseball team fell in its season opener to Kutztown University, 8-6 tonight at the Builder Invitational hosted by the Apprentice School.

Kutztown got off to a quick start, as the Golden Bears plated four runs in the first inning off of LHU starting pitcher Jacob Belinda (Port Matilda, Pa./Tyrone).

Belinda would bounce back and settle into his own, however.  The true freshman recorded three scoreless innings after the first to keep the Bald Eagles within striking distance.

Still trailing, 4-0 in the top of the fifth, the bats came alive for The Haven.  The Bald Eagles sent 12 batters to the plate and scored six runs on six hits in the inning.

Ryan Koch (Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore) and Pierce Ranck (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville) led off the inning with back-to-back singles and Ethan Moore (Williamsport, Pa./Loyalsock) followed that up with a single of his own to put LHU on the scoreboard.

Two batters later, Scott Zuback (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain) drove home LHU's second run with a single to left field to cut the KU lead to, 4-2.

With two outs, Anthony Kyne (Newtown Square, Pa./Penn State Brandywine) drove in LHU's third run with an infield single.
Down, 4-3 Austin Botts (Seven Valleys, Pa./Wingate) came to the plate and highlighted the inning with a two RBI single to left field to put LHU on top, 5-4.

The Bald Eagles plated their sixth and final run of the inning on a bases loaded walk.

Kutztown tacked on a run and loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, but Joe Nestor (Drexel Hill, Pa./Monsignor Bonner) came in relief for The Haven and shut the door on the Golden Bears rally.

Nestor went on to pitch a scoreless sixth and finished with three strikeouts in his 1.1 innings of relief.

Kutztown rallied to score three runs in the seventh to take an, 8-6 lead which Lock Haven was unable to overcome.

Zuback finished with three hits at the plate, all singles.  He added one RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.

Botts went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs for LHU.

Lock Haven continues play at the Builder Invitational tomorrow (Friday, February 21) with two more games.  The Bald Eagles will play Briarcliffe at 3 p.m. and Bloomsburg at 6 p.m.

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Game Notes:
Tonight marked the 2014 season opener for LHU…For the first time in history, Lock Haven will play as part of the PSAC Eastern Division this season…Senior outfielder Scott Zuback and junior catcher Austin Botts are both Preseason All-Region selections