BURLINGTON, Iowa — John Hefner didn't have any hits, but he was still Marietta's hero.
 
When Hefner lined out to North Park right fielder Paul Plushkell in the bottom of the ninth, the sacrifice fly scored Mark Talarico that gave the Pioneers a 7-6 victory in the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional championship on Saturday, May 28.
 
With the win Marietta advances to the World Series that opens on Thursday, June 2, at Pioneer Park.
 
The Etta Express (45-8) trailed 6-3 going into the bottom of the seventh. Marietta rallied for three runs on three hits to tie the game.
 
Monte Duncan opened with a double, which was followed by Dave Thomas' walk. Marty Sberna drove in Duncan on a ground out to second, and Thomas scored on Talarico's single. Talarico scored on a single by Steve Riley, who went 3-for-4.
 
Duncan went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Talarico and Jon Shuler each went 2-for-5.
 
Marietta fell behind early as North Park scored four runs in the first inning off Riley. With two runners on and two outs, Tim Saltess singled to left scoring Mark Slager and Paul Biocie. Paul Plushkell singled home another run, and Ken Pittman scored the final run of the inning on an error by second baseman Jim Pancher.
 
Riley was pulled in the fourth inning after giving up seven hits and five runs for Ron Fama (6-2). Fama threw the final 5 1/3 innings for the win.
 
Mike Schatz, Biocie, Saltess, and Pittman each had two hits, while Saltess added three RBI.