SU Baseball Splits DH at Juniata, 5-6, 3-2

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Susquehanna University's freshman outfielder Nick Ferlise (Toms River, N.J./Toms River North) went a combined 4-for-6 to help Susquehanna split a pair of games against host Juniata College, 5-6, 3-2, in a Landmark Conference baseball doubleheader at Langdon-Goodale Field on April 24.

Ferlise batted 2-for-4 in Game 1 with a run batted in and a run scored. He then went 2-for-2 in the nightcap with two walks and two RBI.

Susquehanna (15-17, 8-6 Landmark) led Juniata (11-21, 8-6 Landmark), 4-0, after the top of the fourth inning in Game 1, but the Eagles posted a five-spot in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead. SU tied the score at 5 in the sixth inning only to lose the game in the bottom of the seventh on a walk-off single.

In Game 2, SU built a 3-0 advantage over the first two innings and only allowed Juniata to plate two runs in the fifth. Juniata had a chance to tie the game in the seventh with runners on first and third, but a bunt attempt that turned into a double play took the momentum away.

SU's junior infielder Erik Tuomisto (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) also went a combined 4-for-6 at the plate, going 2-for-3 in each game. In the opener, Tuomisto belted a double and scored once. He walked once and had one RBI in Game 2.

Teammate and senior catcher/infielder Chris Price (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Glades) had a 2-for-4 Game 1 for the Crusaders with an RBI, while freshman outfielder Ryan Crofts (Westport, Conn./Staples) was a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk in the same game.

Junior catcher Don Kirkland (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) had a double and an RBI as part of a 1-for-3 Game 1. Teammate and freshman outfielder Corey Stirmer (Fulton, Md./Atholton) did not record an at bat but scored once and stole two bases in the doubleheader.

Junior Keith Needham (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) tossed 4 1/3 innings in Game 1 and allowed eight hits and five earned runs while striking out three batters and walking just one more in a no-decision. Fellow junior Andy Hergan (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) suffered the loss in the final 2 1/3 innings of work. Hergan gave up four hits, an earned run and one walk but struck out two.

In Game 2, sophomore Matt Lottes (Muttontown, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran) picked up his fifth win of the season in five innings of work. Lottes scattered six hits, allowed two earned runs, walked none and struck out three batters.

Senior infielder Zack Brigman (Yardville, N.J./Hamilton West) scored two runs and walked twice in a 1-for-2 nightcap. Junior infielder Geoff Hunter (Sugarloaf, Pa./Hazleton Area) tallied the other run and walked in an 0-for-2 second game.

The bullpen was once again locked down by sophomore Jordan Thomas (Westminster, Md./Westminster HS) and senior Ben Leonard (Johnstown, Pa./Shade). Thomas walked a batter and struck another out in his sixth inning, making way for Leonard to pick up his fourth save of the year with a perfect seventh. Leonard now sits alone in second place on SU's single-season saves list. Matt Springman '03 saved five games in 2001.