KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Marietta College Head Coach Jeanne Arbuckle's squad rounded out its 2009 visit to the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla., by splitting a pair of games on Friday (Mar. 13). The Pioneers had to play nine innings to down Transylvania (Ky.) 3-2 and then fell 3-0 in the nightcap to Thomas More (Ky.). The squad finished their spring trip with a 6-4 record. Transylvania fell to 7-4, while Thomas More improved to 6-3.

The Pioneers trailed 1-0 after the first inning against Transylvania only to come back and plate two runs in the top of the second. With runners on first and second, sophomore Hope Cowoski (Perry/Perry) (Perry) beat out a chopper to third base. The throw from third was dropped by the first baseman, which allowed senior Nikki Driscoll (Bellaire/Bellaire) (Bellaire) to score from second base. Senior Emily McComb (Gnadenhutten/Indian Valley) (Gnadenhutten/Indian Valley) then singled up the middle to bring home sophomore Nikki Stone (Madison/Madison) (Madison) and put the Pioneers up 2-1 after two frames.

Transylvania tied the score in the bottom of the sixth, so extra innings would be needed to settle the outcome. Marietta scored a run in the top half of the ninth after a throwing error on sacrifice bunt laid down by Stone. The throw sailed over the head of the second baseman that was covering first base, which allowed pinch runner Constance Whalen (Sharon, Pa.) to cross home plate with the go-ahead. The one-run lead held and the Pioneers defeated Transylvania 3-2.

Senior Erin Faulkner (Wheelersburg/Wheelersburg) (Wheelersburg) pitched all nine innings to earn the victory. Faulkner (4-1) allowed two runs on four hits and finished with four strikeouts and one walk.

Junior Maggie Daubenmire (Thornville/Lakewood Hebron) (Thornville/Lakewood Hebron) went 3-for-5 with three singles. McComb finished 2-for-5 and delivered the lone Pioneer RBI. 

In game two, the Pioneer bats went quiet and Marietta fell to the Thomas More 3-0. The Pioneers managed only five hits, all singles, while stranding seven in the night cap. Thomas More plated three runs on seven hits while stranding seven.

Sophomore Amanda Strong (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South) (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South) fell to 1-2 after allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts and three walks in seven innings.

The Pioneers will be back in action on Saturday (Mar. 21) afternoon with a doubleheader against Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) foe Ohio Northern. First pitch at Marietta Field is slated for 1 p.m.