Boxscore
MADISON, N.J. -- Susquehanna University used a five-run
ninth inning to pull away from host Drew University, 14-10, in a
Landmark Conference baseball game at Doc Young Field on April 11.
Susquehanna (12-13, 5-4 Landmark) used five pitchers to earn the
win and take two of three games from the weekend series. Drew
(5-20, 3-9 Landmark) used four hurlers.
The game was tied at 9 entering the final inning, but SU put up
the five-spot for a 14-9 advantage. The Rangers scored once in the
bottom of the last frame, but senior Ben Leonard
(Johnstown, Pa./Shade) shut the door after that to pick up
his second win of the season.
Leonard pitched the final 1 2/3 innings,
allowing the one run on one hit and no walks. He struck out three
batters.
Sophomore Matt Lottes (Muttontown, N.Y./Long Island
Lutheran) started the game for the Crusaders and threw
five innings, surrendering three runs on five hits and four walks
while also notching three strikeouts.
Senior Jeff Kirch (Morristown, N.J/Morristown)
followed and yielded three runs on one hit and four walks over the
next 1 1/3 innings. Kirch had one K. Freshman
Matt Roe (Freehold, N.J./St. John Vianney) was
next, allowing one unearned run on two hits and walk in one-third
of an inning. Sophomore Jordan Thomas (Westminster,
Md./Westminster HS) pitched the next two-thirds of an
inning and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while picking up
a K.
Senior infielder Zack Brigman (Yardville, N.J./Hamilton
West) led the Susquehanna offense by batting 4-for-5 with
a game-high four runs batted in and a game-high-tying three runs
scored. Brigman also stole a base, walked, doubled
and tripled.
Not to be outdone, teammate and freshman infielder Nick
Ferlise (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) went 3-for-5
with two doubles, a homerun, three RBI and a run.
The Crusaders stole 11 bases in this game, led by an impressive
game-high four and three from junior infielder Justin
Portzline (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove Area) and senior
infielder/catcher Chris Price (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral
Glades), respectively. Portzline batted
1-for-2 with a walk, two RBI and two runs, and
Price went 2-for-6 with a run and two RBI.
Portzline was also hit by two pitches and laid
down a sacrifice bunt.
SU's sophomore infielder Ethan Rieker (Lancaster,
Pa./Manheim Twp.) notched a pinch-hit single in the ninth
inning in his lone at bat. Like Portzline,
freshman outfielder Ryan Crofts (Westport,
Conn./Staples) went 1-for-2. Crofts had
one RBI. Teammate and freshman outfielder Ken Kayama
[Koto-Ku, Japan/Solebury (Pa.)] was 1-for-3 walk and a
steal.
Junior infielder Geoff Hunter (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton
Area) walked three times and scored twice in an 0-for-2
day. Junior pitcher/infielder Calvin Hug (West Chester,
Pa./Unionville) was hit by a pitch and scored in an
0-for-3 game, and senior catcher Don Kirkland (Kennett
Square, Pa./Unionville) walked, stole a base and scored
twice despite going for 0-for-4.
Next Games: Thursday, April 15, vs. Lebanon Valley
(non-conference game), 4 p.m.
