Wendig Flirts with No-hitter in 8-3 Win Over Catholic

Susquehanna Head Coach Denny Bowers' Reaction

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Susquehanna University's freshman Brian Wendig (West Chester, Pa./Malvern Prep) tossed a complete game and took a no-hitter into the eighth inning to lead host Susquehanna to an 8-3 victory over The Catholic University of America in a Landmark Conference baseball game at Harold Bollinger Field on April 18.

Wendig gave up his first hit with two outs in the eighth on an infield single to the shortstop and allowed four total hits in the game to record his first collegiate victory. He walked three batters, struck out five and yielded just one earned run in the second consecutive complete game by an SU pitcher.

Susquehanna (14-15, 7-5 Landmark) actually trailed Catholic (17-9, 10-2 Landmark), 1-0, after a half-inning of play but scored at least one run in each of the first four frames to build a 7-2 lead. The Crusaders made the best of their opportunities with runners in scoring position, driving in five runs in 15 at bats in those situations.

SU has won three of its four Landmark series this season and handed Catholic its only two conference losses of the year.

SU's junior infielder Justin Portzline (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove Area) went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and a run batted in. Teammate and sophomore infielder Ethan Rieker (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Twp.) tallied a game-high three hits (in four at bats) with a run.

Crusaders senior catcher/infielder Chris Price (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Glades) drove in two runs and walked once in a 2-for-4 day. Price is one hit shy of becoming the first SU player to eclipse the 200-career-hits mark.

Freshman outfielder Ryan Crofts (Westport, Conn./Staples) went 2-for-3 at the plate in the game and scored a run, drove in another and walked. Fellow freshman outfielder Corey Stirmer (Fulton, Md./Atholton) stole two bases, scored twice and walked once in a 1-for-4 day.

Junior catcher Don Kirkland (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) smacked a double in four at bats, while junior infielder Erik Tuomisto (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) went 1-for-3 with a run scored and drove in another run on a sacrifice fly.