KUTZTOWN, Pa.- Caldwell University baseball freshman Ryan Opak (Douglaston, N.Y.) and sophomore Noah Putney (Glassboro, N.J.) drove in three runs each as the Cougars defeated Kutztown University 9-3 to close out their 2022 season.
 
The Cougars end their season at 15-25 overall, while the Golden Bears close out their season at 11-35.  
 
Caldwell got on the board in the first inning as Opak connected on a solo homerun. The Cougars added to their lead in the fourth as senior Jalen March (Baltimore, Md.) doubled with one out with sophomore Zach Saunders (Adelphi, Md.) singling him home for a 2-0 lead.
 
The Golden Bears answered in their half of the fourth as they got a run and pulled even with a run in the seventh inning.
 
Caldwell scored seven runs over the final two innings as senior Kyle Richards (Sayreville, N.J.) drew a one-out walk and stole second. Putney singled in Richards to break the tie, while March reached on an error that allowed Putney to score. Saunders added a run scoring single as part of a three-run eighth.
 
In the ninth, freshman Joseph Witt (North Arlington, N.J.) drew a leadoff walk, while senior Frank Lehmann (Colonia, N.J.) and Opak singled to load the bases. Richards hit a sacrifice fly to score one run, while Putney followed with a two-run triple. Putney scored the final Caldwell run on a passed ball for a 9-2 lead. Kutztown got one run back in the ninth but Lehmann came on in relief in the ninth to retire the final batter.
 
Junior Matthew Hanzich (Piscataway, N.J.) tossed three scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits and striking out four to earn the win.