MARIETTA, Ohio — Nearly 1,500 fans witnessed senior third baseman Cameron Cimino (Boardman/Boardman) (Boardman) slam two key home runs and the Marietta College baseball team sweep an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) doubleheader against visiting Wilmington College on the 11th annual Baseball Community Day Saturday (April 11) afternoon at Don Schaly Stadium. The Etta Express, ranked #15 in the latest ABCA poll and #19 in the most recent NCBWA/D3baseball.com poll, remained locked atop the league standings with Heidelberg University following 8-7 and 5-3 victories over the Quakers.

Cimino, the reigning OAC Hitter of the Week, drilled a game-winning two-run home run to cap a four-run Marietta (17-7, 8-2 OAC) rally in the sixth inning of the opener. In the nightcap, he then added another two-run shot in the fourth frame, which provided the winning margin. Cimino has now hit six home runs in his last five games at Don Schaly Stadium.

Wilmington (5-15, 2-8 OAC) scored a run on a ground out to take a 1-0 lead in the first frame of game one. The Pioneers answered with a two-run single by junior designated hitter Chris Beatty (Seven Fields, Pa./Hampton) (Seven Fields, Pa./Hampton) in their first at-bat to take over the lead, 2-1.

The Quakers added a pair of runs in the third only for the Pioneers to knot the game back up with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore right fielder John Snyder (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) (Altoona, Pa.) drove in classmate center fielder Jordan Thompson (Quaker City/Buckeye Trail) (Quaker City/Buckeye Trail), who opened the inning with a single, to tie the game at 3-3.

Wilmington regained the advantage with a run in the fourth and then extended its lead with two more in the sixth. The Etta Express began its comeback by plating a run on a Quaker error in the fifth to cut its deficit to two runs, 6-4.

Junior second baseman Tyler Penwell (Washington Court House/Washington Court House) (Washington Court House) ignited Marietta's rally with a double to left field to begin the sixth. Junior catcher Dan Jones (Lima/Shawnee) (Lima/Shawnee) sacrificed Penwell to third, and freshman shortstop Tim Saunders (Alliance/Alliance) (Alliance) reached on a hit-by-pitch. Senior first baseman Justin Merryman (New Philadelphia/New Philadelphia) (New Philadelphia) drove in Penwell with a single to center, bringing Cimino to the plate. Cimino brought the capacity crowd to its feet with a two-run blast to left, his seventh of the spring, which gave the Pioneers an 8-6 lead.

The Quakers, however, would not go quietly in the seventh. Bruce Dunlap opened the frame with his second home run of the game. The next Wilmington batter followed with a single, which prompted senior left-hander Chris Stewart (Dublin/Dublin Coffman) (Dublin/Coffman) to be called out of the bullpen with the task of shutting down the rally. Stewart retired the next three hitters, the final two on strikeouts, to seal the win and earn his first save of the season.

Marietta was out hit 13-9 and left eight runners on base in the opener. Thompson led the Pioneers with a 3-for-3 and four-run scored game at the plate. Cimino added two hits in the victory. Jason Iles, Dunlap and Zach Butler all had three hits in the loss.

Senior Nate Eschbaugh (Marietta/Marietta) (Marietta) picked up his second win in as many decisions out of the bullpen. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits in one frame. Senior right-hander Jason Baumler (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) (Crownsville, Md./Old Mill) got the start and worked the first five innings. He allowed six runs (five earned) on 11 hits and struck out three while walking two.

Chris Lewis held Marietta's bats to six runs (three earned) on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Dunlap was tagged for two runs on two hits in 1/3 of an inning to take the loss, which dropped his record to 0-2.

Wilmington once again scored a run it its first at-bat of the second game to take the early lead. Marietta tied the game with a run in the second. Senior first baseman Brennan Cribbins (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Saunders.

The Etta Express took its first lead after scoring two runs in the third. Cribbins and Penwell had back-to-back RBI singles to center field in the inning.

A two-run home run by Cimino, his eighth of the year, extended Marietta's advantage to 5-1.

Wilmington plated its second run of the game in the sixth. Marietta starter Merryman allowed a pair of hits with one out before leaving the game with an injury. Sophomore right-hander Casey Levens (Dayton/Centerville) (Dayton/Centerville) replaced Merryman and allowed a RBI single to the first man he faced before getting out of the inning.

Dunlap drilled his third home run of the day to begin the eighth and pull his squad back within two runs, 5-3. Stewart, however, retook the mound in the ninth and retired three straight to record his second save of the day.

The Pioneers out hit the Quakers 13-9 and overcame 12 runners left on base in the game. Wilmington made the only error and left eight on base.

Cimino had four more hits in the second game to give him six on the day. Thompson, Cribbins and Penwell all added a pair of hits in the win. Dan Roncolato and Dunlap both had two hits for Wilmington.

Merryman earned the win in his first start of the year. He scattered two runs on six hits and struck out six in 5 1/3 innings. Levens allowed one run on three hits and added three strikeouts, while Stewart struck out a pair in his only inning of work.

Brandon Compton (0-3) took the loss after giving up five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and fanned a pair on the day.

Marietta returns to action on Tuesday (April 14) afternoon when Muskingum College visits for a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on WMOA-AM 1490 and online at http://pioneers.marietta.edu/onlinebroadcasts.html. They can also track live stats at http://pioneers.marietta.edu/livestats/xlive.htm.