MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The #17 Marietta College baseball team rallied for a 6-5 victory in 10 innings over host Rhodes College and then topped Blackburn College, 11-6, on Saturday (March 7) in Memphis, Tenn. The four-time National Champion Pioneers improved to 2-0 on the season with the wins.
Senior Justin Merryman (New Philadelphia/New Philadelphia) (New Philadelphia) delivered a game-tying, two-out single in the top of the ninth, and sophomore John Snyder (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) (Altoona, Pa.) followed with a game-winning RBI single in the top of the tenth to propel the Etta Express to a win over Rhodes in its season opener.
The Lynx (10-5) jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first four frames after they scored single runs in the first, third and fourth frames. Marietta's offense got going in the fifth. Snyder singled to lead off the frame. He later came around to score on a RBI single by freshman Tim Saunders (Alliance/Alliance) (Alliance).
Marietta tied the game at 3-3 an inning later. Merryman doubled and scored on a RBI groundout by Matt DeSico (Euclid/Euclid) (Euclid). Sophomore Casey Levens (Dayton/Centerville) (Dayton/Centerville) then hit a solo home run to left center, his first of the year. Rhodes answered with a pair of runs on three hits in the bottom of the inning.
The score remained 5-3 until the eighth when junior Tyler Penwell (Washington Court House/Washington Court House) (Washington Court House) crossed the plate on a passed ball. Saunders then started the ninth-inning rally with a one-out single. Sophomore Britt Meador (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) replaced him on the bases after a fielder's choice. Meador advanced to second and later scored on Merryman's RBI hit.
Senior Cameron Cimino (Boardman/Boardman) (Boardman) led off the 10th win a double to center. He moved over to third with two outs before Snyder singled to center to drive in the go-ahead run.
Merryman took the mound in the bottom of the 10th looking to preserve the victory. He worked around back-to-back walks to start the inning but struck out two of the final three hitters to earn the save, his first of the season.
Senior Chris Stewart (Dublin/Dublin Coffman) (Dublin/Coffman), the fourth of five Marietta pitchers, picked up the victory in relief after throwing two scoreless innings and striking out three. T.J. Knowlton (Greenwich/Mapleton) (Greenwich/Mapleton) started the game and allowed one run on four hits in two frames. Freshman Brian Gasser (New Philadelphia/Indian Valley) (New Philadelphia/Indian Valley) followed by allowing two runs on two hits over the next two innings. Penwell then worked three innings, giving up two runs on three hits before Stewart and Merryman closed the game.
Marietta out hit Rhodes 11-9 and both teams had one error in the game. Four Pioneers finished with two hits—Merryman and Levens were 2-for-5, while Snyder and Saunders were 2-for-4—in the win.
After a five and one-half hour break, the Etta Express retook the field, this time against Blackburn College out of Carlinville, Ill. The Pioneers once again found themselves down three runs early in the game only to fight back and get the 11-6 win.
Marietta out hit Blackburn (0-1) 16-12 and six Pioneer players finished with multiple-hit outings. Junior Chris Beatty (Seven Fields, Pa./Hampton) (Seven Fields, Pa./Hampton) went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and two RBI, while Levens finished 3-for-4 with a home run and a triple. The duo hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning to ignite Marietta's scoring in the night cap. Meador added three hits, while senior Brennan Cribbins (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) (Middleburg Heights/Midpark), Saunders and DeSico all added two hits in the win.
Senior Jason Baumler (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) got the start and was charged with three runs on three hits in one-plus innings. Junior Nate Eschbaugh (Marietta/Marietta) (Marietta) earned the win in relief. He allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out five in four innings. Sophomore Mark Williams (Fayetteville/Perry) (Fayetteville/Perry) followed with three strong innings of relief. He scattered one hit and one walk while striking out seven. Levens closed the door in the ninth after allowing one hit and striking out one.
The Pioneers continue their trip on Monday when they take on #7 Texas-Tyler in Abilene, Texas. First pitch is slated for 7:30 p.m. EST.
Marietta baseball fans can once again follow all of the action during the 2009 season when John Wharff and Mark Bradley broadcast each game on WMOA-AM 1490. The games can also be heard online at http://pioneers.marietta.edu/onlinebroadcasts.html. Live stats will be available at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/mcmurry/baseball/.
