MARIETTA, Ohio — Senior Jason Baumler (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) threw six shutout innings in #14 Marietta College baseball's 8-1 victory over visiting Denison University Wednesday (March 25) night at Don Schaly Stadium.

Baumler, who improved his record to 1-1, equaled his longest outing of the season. The right-hander scattered six hits and matched a career high with seven strikeouts in the win, which improved the Pioneers' record to 9-3. The Big Red fell to 9-7 on the year.

The Etta Express took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Seniors Justin Merryman (New Philadelphia/New Philadelphia) (New Philadelphia) and Cameron Cimino (Boardman/Boardman) (Boardman) produced back-to-back singles with one out in the frame. Junior Chris Beatty (Seven Fields, Pa./Hampton) (Seven Fields, Pa./Hampton) then launched a pitch over the fence in left center field, his second home run of the season.

Marietta added to its lead in the third. Sophomore John Snyder (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) (Altoona, Pa.) led off the inning with a double. He then scored on a Merryman RBI single to left center, giving the Pioneers a 4-0 advantage.

The scoring continued for the Etta Express in the fourth. Junior Matt DeSico (Euclid/Euclid) (Euclid) drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a junior Tyler Penwell (Washington Court House/Washington Court House) (Washington Court House) sacrifice bunt. Senior Brennan Cribbins (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) followed with a RBI single and advanced to second on the throw to the plate. Freshman Tim Saunders (Alliance/Alliance) (Alliance) kept the offense rolling with a single down the left field line to drive in the sixth run of the game.

After two scoreless innings, Marietta cracked the scoreboard again in the seventh. Merryman worked a one-out walk and stole second. Cimino then drove him in with a double to the right field fence to increase the Pioneers' lead to 7-0.

Senior T.J. Knowlton (Greenwich/Mapleton) (Greenwich/Mapleton) replaced Baumler and worked a scoreless seventh before the Big Red broke the shutout with a run in the eighth. Aidan Lucas picked up the RBI with a one-out single to right. Justin Held, who also singled to right, scored on the play. Knowlton was charged with one run on three hits in two frames.

Marietta, who out hit Denison 11-9, added its final run in the eighth. Cribbins began the inning with a double. After Saunders drew a walk, junior Dan Jones (Lima/Shawnee) (Lima/Shawnee) laid down a sacrifice bunt. The pitcher tried to get the runner at third base but threw the ball away, allowing Cribbins to score, extending the lead to 8-1.

Merryman, who had a game-high three hits, took the mound in the ninth and retired three straight hitters, one on a strikeout, to secure the victory. Cimino, Cribbins and Saunders all added a pair of hits in the win.

Freddy Marino (1-2) suffered the loss after Marietta's offense tagged him for six runs on seven hits in four innings. Dale McOsker gave up one run on three hits in 2 2/3 frames. Lucas pitched the final 1 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on one hit during his time on the mound.

Marietta is back in action on Thursday (March 26) evening when the Pioneers visit Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) College. First pitch of the varsity game is slated for 7 p.m. A junior varsity contest is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Fans can listen to John Wharff and Mark Bradley broadcast the action on WMOA-AM 1490 and online at http://pioneers.marietta.edu/onlinebroadcasts.html. In addition, live stats can be tracked at http://www.washjeff.edu/Athletics/xlive.htm.