Lunardi, SU Earn Slew of Landmark Conference Baseball Awards

MADISON, N.J. -- Susquehanna University landed five players on the 2009 all-Landmark Conference baseball team on May 11, including senior John Lunardi (Exton, Pa./Henderson), who earned the Landmark Pitcher and Player of the Year awards while joining the all-conference first team at both starting pitcher and outfielder.

Joining Lunardi on the all-Landmark team were seniors Tyler Reichard (Danville, Pa./Danville Area) and Kurt Yannelli (Phoenixville, Pa./Bishop Shanahan), sophomore Justin Portzline (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove Area) and freshman Jordan Thomas (Westminster, Md./Westminster), each of whom garnered second-team honors--Reichard at outfielder, Yannelli at third baseman, Portzline at second baseman and Thomas at relief pitcher.

This is the second straight year that Lunardi has been selected as both a first-team starting pitcher and outfielder. He pitched the 14th perfect game in NCAA Division III history this past season and then hit two homeruns the next day to earn national recognition from USA Today and Sports Illustrated. He is currently ranked ninth in Division III in lowest earned run average (1.60). As a tri-captain of the 2009 Landmark regular-season champions, he led the conference in lowest ERA and lowest opposing batting average (.193). He also tied for most wins (seven) and least walks allowed (nine) and tied for second in batters struck out (51). He broke the Susquehanna career record this season in runs scored (127) while also leading the team with a .415 batting average, .517 on-base percentage, .695 slugging percentage and eight homeruns. Lunardi had an outstanding defensive season as well, committing just one error in 121 fielding chances and helping to turn four double plays.

Reichard batted .392 with seven homeruns this year. He also scored 42 runs to tie Lunardi for the team lead. His 56 hits, 26 walks, 90 total bases and 12 stolen bases (on 12 attempts) led the Crusaders. He ranked in the top 10 in the Landmark in 2009 in homers, runs, hits, walks, total bases, stolen bases, triples (two), on-base percentage (.494) and slugging percentage (.629).

Yannelli batted .317 in 2009 with seven doubles and four HR. He tied for the team lead with two triples and four total sacrifices. Defensively, he tied for third in the Landmark in assists (79), while also helping to turn seven double plays.

Portzline led the conference in assists (92). He also helped to turn a team-best 20 double plays. Offensively, he ranked third on the team this past season behind Lunardi and Reichard with a .349 batting average. He ranked second with 51 hits.

Thomas posted a 4-0 record in 16 pitching appearances this year--all in relief--while collecting one save. He struck out 20 batters in 22 innings and registered a 2.86 ERA.