Susquehanna Earns Split, 0-8, 6-3, Gives Catholic First Conference Loss of Season

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Susquehanna University's junior Keith Needham (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) tossed a complete Game 2 by scattering five hits and walking just two batters while helping host Susquehanna split a Landmark Conference baseball doubleheader with The Catholic University of America, 0-8, 6-3, at Harold Bollinger Field on April 17.

Needham allowed just one earned run and struck out four batters. He induced 12 groundball outs and did not record a true flyout until the sixth inning while handing Catholic (17-8, 10-1 Landmark) its first Landmark loss of the season.

Susquehanna (13-15, 6-5 Landmark) allowed the Cardinals to run away with Game 1 due to seven infield errors. Catholic helped its own cause in that game as well by continuously applying pressure on SU with eight stolen bases (12 total in the doubleheader).

Game 2 was a different story though. After SU spotted the Cardinals a run in the first inning, it used homeruns in the second and third innings by junior catcher Don Kirkland (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) and freshman outfielder Nick Ferlise (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North), respectively, to build a 4-1 lead. Another Crusaders run in the fifth inning increased their lead to 5-1 before Catholic tried to mount a comeback by plating two runs in the sixth.

The Crusaders answered with the game's final run in the bottom of the sixth.

Kirkland and Ferlise each went 1-for-2 in Game 1 with a double. Kirkland also drew a walk. In the nightcap, Kirkland was 1-for-2 with a solo homer, and Ferlise went 1-for-3 with a three-run shot.

SU's senior catcher/infielder Chris Price (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Glades) stroked a double and walked as part of a 1-for-2 first game. Teammate and senior infielder Zack Brigman (Yardville, N.J./Hamilton West) picked up the final SU hit in Game 1. Brigman also walked.

Sophomore Matt Lottes (Muttontown, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran) suffered his first loss of the season in Game 1. Lottes went three innings, giving up four hits, five walks and five runs (one earned). He struck out two batters. Junior Andy Hergan (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) tossed the final four innings in relief, allowing five hits and one earned run while also striking out two.

Crusaders junior pitcher/infielder Calvin Hug (West Chester, Pa./Unionville) scored twice and walked once in a 1-for-1 nightcap, while junior infielder Justin Portzline (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove Area) went 2-for-3 with a run and stolen base in the same game.