KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Shepherd University (19-12, 6-7 PSAC East) dropped a 9-8 decision to Kutztown (18-12, 5-5 PSAC East) in PSAC East baseball action at Kutztown on Friday. 

Shepherd took a 2-0 lead in the first inning  behind an RBI ground out by redshirt-sophomore outfielder Sam Daggers (Galloway, N.J./Absegami/Rowan Gloucester CC) and an RBI-single by graduate student third baseman Connor Dewees (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion). 

Kutztown plated two in the first on an RBI-double by Gavin Moretski and a RBI-single by Brennan Rozich. 

Shepherd added a run in the second on a solo blast by graduate student catcher Zach Doss (Waldorf, Md./North Point/Maryland). 

Kutztown got a three-run homer in the bottom of the second from Antonio Rossillo to take a 5-3 lead.     

Shepherd tied the game in the third with a pair of runs. Daggers hit a solo blast to key the rally. 

The Rams took a 6-5 lead in the fourth on a solo homer by senior first baseman Ross Mulhall (Morgantown, W.Va./University/Gardner-Webb). 

Shepherd added a run in the fifth on an RBI-double off the bat of redshirt-sophomore second baseman Wyatt Miles (Waterford, Va./Woodgrove/Frederick CC) and another in the sixth on a solo shot from Mulhall to take an 8-5 advantage. 

Kutztown scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to grab the win. Mitchell Peers had a two-run single to key the rally. 

Mulhall went 3-for-4 to lead the Rams. 

Rossillo went 3-for-5 to pace the Golden Bears. 

Tyler Cleveland (2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K, 2 BB) (4-1) gained the win. Moretski (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB) earned the save. Redshirt-sophomore pitcher Brenden Lewis (Hurricane, W.Va./Hurricane) (0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 K, 1 BB) (3-2) took the loss.  

The Rams return to action on Saturday when they host Kutztown for a noon doubleheader.