Stoppenbach Pitches St. Norbert Past Greenville

From Sports Information Director, March 21, 2009 | Baseball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - St. Norbert College sophomore righthander Bryan Stoppenbach tossed a 10-inning complete game to pace the Green Knights to a 3-2 win over Greenville College.

Stoppenbach did not allow an earned run and allowed just five hits while walking three and striking out seven.

The Green Knights (6-4) needed the strong pitching performance as they did not drive in a run with a base hit in the game. St. Norbert took a 1-0 lead in the second when Tony Jandron doubled to lead off the inning. Following a flyout, Jandron stole third and the catcher's throw sailed into left field to allow the run to score.

Greenville answered with two runs in the bottom of the third. After an infield error allowed an inning to continue, Brian Stoff singled in a run and Stoppenbach balked in the second run for a 2-1 Greenville lead.

St. Norbert tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth. The Green Knights had the bases loaded and one out, and pinch-hitter Ryan Kehl drove in Jandron with a fielder's choice groundout.

St. Norbert and Greenville each had runners in scoring position in the ninth inning but didn't score. In the top of the tenth, Jared Yost struck out but reached first on a wild pitch and promptly stole second base. After a groundout, Yost stole third and the catcher's throw again sailed into left field and allowed Yost to scamper home with the game-winning run.

Cory Fuller was 3-for-5 for St. Norbert, while Jordan Vater and Kyle Johnsen were each 2-for-4. The Green Knights had nine hits but stranded 10 runners. St. Norbert also stole five bases in the game.