File photo – Aidan Dorsch

St. Bernard’s junior Aidan Dorsch threw a complete-game no-hitter against Ferndale on Saturday, as the Crusaders remained unbeaten against Little 4 opposition.

Dorsch struck out 11 in a 3-0 win in the second game of a doubleheader, walking just three batters all game for the first no-hitter of his career.

“Dorsch was outstanding,” St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin said. “He had a lot of movement on his ball, and he attacked the strike zone early. It was definitely the best he’s played for us.”

Earlier in the day, fellow junior Nick Dugan pitched six strong innings as the Crusaders won 10-0 in six innings.

They are now 10-0 against Little 4 teams this spring.

Their pitching has been a definite strength, and if Dorsch can continue to play at this level, the Crusaders will be tough to stop going forward.

“We really feel like we have two aces,” Tomlin said.

Dugan got plenty of offensive help in the opener, with Peyton Smith leading an 11-hit team performance.

Smith was 3-for-4 with two runs, while Cayden Lee went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and a run, as the Crusaders broke open a tight game with three runs in the bottom of the third and five in the fifth.

Braeden Zimmerman also had two hits, including a double, while Dorsch, Micah Duncan, Bode Joyner and Drew Vizenor each had one, with Vizenor also driving in two runs and scoring twice.

Joyner was also instrumental behind the plate, stepping in to catch for Dugan, who throws hard.

“That was a really unselfish thing for a senior to volunteer to do,” Tomlin said. “I’m just so proud of how unselfish this group is.”

Dugan struck out 12, while allowing just three hits and one walk.

Vizenor and Lee each also had a hit in game two, with Lee scoring two of his team’s three runs.

Dugan also had a double and an RBI, while Joyner and Brayden Luna each also drove in a run.

“I’m just very proud of how this COVID season went,” Tomlin said. “They played very good baseball today. Everybody in the lineup. We had a lot of guys play well.”

Jenner Christiansen continued to impress for the Wildcats, throwing five strong innings in game two.

The senior standout gave up two hits and struck out three, while also allowing free passes on two walks and three hit batsmen.

Vincent Meade pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and three walks, while striking out three.

Meade also had a good day in the outfield, along with teammates Garrett Christiansen and Carl Nunes.

“Our outfield in general had a good day,” Ferndale head coach Justin Andersen said. “They ran down some tough balls.”

Kyler Radelfinger also played well behind the plate, catching both games.

Garrett Christiansen, Meade and Paden Prior each had a hit for the Cats in game one.

With the two wins, the Crusaders improved to 10-2 overall, while the Cats dropped 6-5.