Eleven-Run Deficit Too Much for SU in 13-8 Loss to LVC

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Susquehanna University's junior infielder Justin Portzline (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove Area) batted 2-for-3, including a double, but Susquehanna fell behind too much too early to visiting Lebanon Valley College and lost, 13-8, in a non-conference baseball game at Harold Bollinger Field on April 15.

Portzline scored twice and drove in two more while also stealing three bases. He is a perfect 15-for-15 in steal attempts this season.

Susquehanna (12-14 overall) was tied at 1 with Lebanon Valley (19-7 overall) after one inning, but the Flying Dutchmen scored 12 runs from the third to the seventh innings. SU tried to mount a late-inning comeback, plating four runs in the seventh and two in the ninth, but the LVC lead was too much.

Coming into this week, SU was tied for 12th in the country in stolen bases with 75 and helped its cause in this game with eight more.

Crusaders sophomore infielder Ethan Rieker (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Twp.) came off the bench to go 2-for-2 with a double, two runs batted in, a run scored and a stolen base. Teammate and freshman outfielder Nick Ferlise (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) recorded two hits in three at bats.

Junior pitcher/infielder Calvin Hug (West Chester, Pa./Unionville) swiped a bag and scored twice as part of a 2-for-3 day, while junior infielder Erik Tuomisto (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) batted 2-for-5 with an RBI and a stolen base.

SU's junior infielder Geoff Hunter (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton Area) scored a run and stroked a double which drove in another run in a 1-for-3 game. Freshman outfielder Corey Stirmer (Fulton, Md./Atholton) went 1-for-2 with a run scored.

Freshman Matt Boyd (Camp Hill, Pa./Camp Hill) suffered the loss and dropped to 0-1 this year. Boyd went 3 1/3 innings and gave up seven hits, seven earned runs and four walks while striking out two batters and hitting two more. Next out of the bullpen were fellow freshmen Tyler Della Badia (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood), Matt Grzelak (Colts Neck, N.J./St. John Vianney) and Nick Torkildsen (Milford, Pa./Delaware Valley HS), in that order. Della Badia tossed 2 2/3 innings and gave up five hits, three earned runs and a walk. Grzelak pitched one inning and struck out a batter but allowed two hits, three runs and a walk. Torkildsen threw the final two innings and only gave up one hit and one walk.