Texas-Tyler comes back from eight-run deficit to top Marietta 12-9
Pioneers will look to bounce back this evening against Texas-Dallas

March 11, 2008
ABILENE, Texas — The No. 9 Marietta College baseball team had No. 18 Texas University-Tyler on the ropes early but could not deliver the knockout punch, and the Patriots battled back to pull off the 12-9 victory Tuesday (March 11) afternoon at Abilene Christian University. The Pioneers fell to 2-4, while UT-Tyler improved to 16-2.

The Etta Express pounded out 12 hits and was privileged to six Patriot errors but left 14 runners on base in the loss. UT-Tyler finished with 15 hits, took advantage of one error and stranded six.

Four Pioneers had multiple-hit games. Junior Justin Merryman (New Philadelphia) went 3-for-5 and reached base a fourth time on a fielder’s choice. He had a pair of doubles and scored three times. Senior Tony Piconke (Clinton Township, Mich./Clintondale) and junior Cameron Cimino (Boardman) both finished 2-for-5, while junior Brennan Cribbins (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) went 2-for-4.

The Patriots had six players get two hits in the game, including Jeremy Harding who slugged a game-winning grand slam in the eighth inning and finished with six RBI.

Sophomore Joe Pitrone (Highland Heights/Mayfield) took the loss to fall to 0-1. He worked two innings and allowed four runs on six hits while walking two and striking out one. Sophomore Nate Eschbaugh (Marietta) started the game. He gave up eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits, walked one and fanned three in 5 1/3 innings. Freshman Casey Levens (Dayton/Centerville) made his second appearance of the year and got the final two outs of the eighth.

Blake Booher lasted just two innings for the Patriots. He was charged with four runs (three earned) on five hits and walked one. Brett Holland, Lex Wolfe and Kyle Braden combined to give up five runs (three earned) over four frames before Beau Ziegler (1-0) closed the game with three strong innings and earned the win. He allowed just one hit, walked two and struck out four.

Both teams plated a run in the first. Marietta then scored three in the third, two in the fourth and three in the fifth to take a commanding 9-1 lead. Texas-Tyler, however, stormed back with a seven-run sixth to pull within a run and the Harding grand slam in the eighth gave it the lead for good, 12-9.

The Pioneers will look to bounce back this evening when they take on Texas University-Dallas at 7 p.m. at McMurry’s Walt Driggers Field. The action can be heard live in Marietta on WMOA-AM 1490 and over the Internet at http://pioneers.marietta.edu/onlinebroadcasts.html.