May 1 (Landmark Conference championships): Susquehanna 5, Catholic 7

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Susquehanna University's sophomore pitcher/infielder Justin Portzline (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove Area) batted 2-for-5 with a run batted in, but host Susquehanna lost Game 1 of the Landmark Conference championships to The Catholic University of America, 7-5, at Harold Bollinger Field on May 1.

No. 1-seeded SU (24-15 overall) moved to the losers' bracket with the defeat, while No. 4 Catholic (20-19 overall) went on to the winners' side of the four-team double-elimination tournament.

After No. 2 Moravian College defeated the No. 3 United States Merchant Marine Academy, 18-6, in Game 2 later in the day, Susquehanna and the USMMA squared off in Game 3--the first elimination game of the championships--at 5:10 p.m.

The SU-USMMA game was suspended due to darkness, however, with the USMMA leading, 9-8, after seven of nine innings. The game will resume on Saturday, May 2, at 8:45 a.m., and the winner will play the loser of the Catholic-Moravian game in another elimination tilt later that day at approximately 1:30 p.m.

SU led Game 1, 5-2, entering the top of the seventh inning, but the Cardinals scored four runs in the seventh and added another in the ninth for the final score.

The Crusaders had a runner thrown out at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning on a controversial call which led to the first of two ejections for the SU coaching staff.

The other ejection came in the bottom of the ninth inning after another questionable call. After SU's senior pitcher/outfielder John Lunardi (Exton, Pa./Henderson) singled to lead off the inning, Portzline hit a slow grounder to the third baseman, who threw on to second base to force Lunardi. Lunardi slid hard into the bag, causing contact with the second baseman, and the ruling umpire called Portzline out on Lunardi's interference.

The next batter popped out to end the game.

Lunardi's hit came in his only at bat. He started the game at pitcher and had an uncharacteristically average outing, allowing 11 hits, one walk and six runs in eight innings, though he did post a game-high three strikeouts.

Lunardi came into the game with the best earned run average in NCAA Division III (0.83) but suffered his second loss of the season--both against Catholic. He is now 7-2 this year with a 1.60 ERA.

Lunardi was relieved by sophomore Keith Needham (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area), who pitched the top of the ninth and allowed one run while striking out one batter.

Other offensive contributors for the Crusaders included junior infielder Zack Brigman (Yardville, N.J./Hamilton West) and junior catcher/outfielder Don Kirkland (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville), both of whom batted 1-for-2. Brigman doubled to score a run in the second. He also walked twice and scored a run himself. Kirkland was hit by a pitch and laid down a sacrifice.

Susquehanna sophomore infielder Erik Tuomisto (Northumberland, Pa./Shikellamy) and senior outfielder Kyle Wertman (Havertown, Pa./Haverford) both batted 1-for-3 with a solo homerun--their fifth each this season--and were hit by a pitch. Teammate and junior catcher/infielder Chris Price (Coral Springs, Fla./Coral Glades) went 1-for-4 with a double. Senior infielder Barry Fetter (Middletown, Pa./Middletown Area) was 0-for-2 but walked twice and scored both times.