By William Bowman
The Danville News
May 01, 2009 09:27 am
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They come from three rival high schools, where athletes plain just don't like each other no matter how you slice it.
Together, they have their sights set on winning a conference championship, a goal that is certainly within their grasp.
Senior Tyler Reichard of Danville and sophomores Erik Tuomisto of Shikellamy and Selinsgrove's Justin Portzline have all played vital roles in Susquehanna University's success this spring, a season that continues this weekend when the Crusaders host the Landmark Conference Championships.
The four-team, double-elimination event kicks off this morning when SU takes on Catholic at 9. Moravian and Merchant Marine Academy meet in the second game, with the losers meeting in an elimination game this evening.
"When you all put the same uniform on, you put the past behind you," said Reichard, the Crusasders' starting rightfielder. "I don't like guys that live on their high school stats. It's over and you move on, just shake off any rivalries you had when you were younger."
Reichard came to SU (24-14, 14-4) as a basketball player and did not pick up a bat as a freshman. With his career winding down, the former hoops star from Danville carries a career batting average of better than .350, and he ranks in Susquehanna's all-time top 10 in just about every offensive category.
Portzline, the shortstop, returned to his hometown after a year at Allegheny College in Maryland and has settled in at the key infield position. Tuomisto followed a similar pattern as Portzline, coming to Susquehanna after a season at Pitt-Johnstown, and is now the designated hitter.
Also on the team is Lewisburg alum Keith Needham, who has a 3.18 ERA in 15 relief appearances.
"We all have fun playing together," said Portzline. "When you enjoy playing with the other guys on the team, you are going to be successful and that's how it's been this season."
It wasn't like that for Portzline last year. As a freshman, he attended Allegheny but said he wasn't able to form the same kind of relationships there that he has in his short time at Susquehanna. One of those who quickly became close was Tuomisto, a long-time rival from across the river.
The two played together in fall ball during high school and were reunited when they both transferred closer to home.
"Erik and I clicked after a summer game and now we are roommates," said Portzline, the starting shortstop in his first season on campus. "Everything just fell into place."
"J.P. and I were bitter rivals in high school and we worked it out in fall ball," said Tuomisto. "Things have worked out for both of us."
All three have certainly played vital roles this year.
Reichard's .414 average is tops among SU regulars, and he leads the team in runs, hits, triples, walks, on-base percentage and stolen bases. He is the only player on the roster to have played in every game this year.
Not bad for a basketball player who came to SU in the footsteps of his older brother, Matt. Through the regular season, Reichard ranks in the top 10 in 11 different offensive categories in the conference, including second in hits, home runs, total bases and walks.
After hitting .318 in a dozen games at Allegheny last season, Portzline said he found a more familial atmosphere in his hometown. He has fit right in for the Crusaders, batting second in the lineup and turning in a solid .348 average, with just 11 strikeouts in 135 at-bats.
Tuomisto is hitting just below .300, but ranks second on the team with 36 RBIs on 32 hits.
Along with fellow seniors John Lunardi and Kurt Yannelli, Reichard has helped lead a resurgence in SU baseball, one that led them to the regular-season title in the Landmark. It was something the Danville grad knew was possible.
"It's been four years of work for the seniors and coach (Denny) Bowers," said Reichard. "The Susquehanna baseball tradition has not been great, and for us to be the ones to turn it around has been special. We knew coming into this year our expectations should be higher, and so far things have worked out."
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