ABILENE, Texas — #15 Marietta College rallied for nine runs over the final two innings to defeat host Hardin-Simmons University 12-10 Tuesday (March 9) afternoon. The Etta Express improved to 3-2, while the Cowboys snapped a four-game win streak and fell to 6-7 on the season. [Box Score]

Freshman left fielder Jordan Grilliot (Brookville, Northmont), who finished 2-for-4 with three RBI, delivered a three-run double and sophomore shortstop Tim Saunders (Alliance, Alliance) hit a two-run home run to cap off a seven-run eighth inning for Marietta, who trailed 8-3 entering the frame. Freshman second baseman Alex Toth (Painesville, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) then drove in the winning run and scored another insurance run in the ninth to help the Pioneers complete the comeback.

Marietta out hit Hardin-Simmons 10-9 and scored 10 unearned runs as the Cowboys finished with five errors compared to the Pioneers' two in the game.

Marietta took advantage of a Hardin-Simmons error to plate the first run of the game in the top of the second. Freshman third baseman Braden Park (Oxford, Talawanda) had an infield single with one out and later scored from second base when junior right fielder Jordan Thompson (Quaker City, Buckeye Trail) reached on a throwing error.

The Cowboys loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the second frame. Marietta freshman starter Andrew Brown (Centerville, Centerville) struck out the next two hitters before Blake Sieck lifted a two-run single into left field to give Hardin-Simmons the 2-1 advantage.

The Etta Express regained the lead 3-2 in the third. Senior designated hitter Chris Beatty (Seven Fields, Pa., Hampton) walked with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Junior first baseman Casey Levens (Dayton, Centerville) hit an infield single to short and both runners advanced a base when the ensuing throw got away from the Cowboy first baseman. Junior center fielder John Snyder (Altoona, Pa., Altoona), who matched Grilliot with a 2-for-4 and three RBI performance, then drove in both Beatty and Levens with a single to center.

Hardin-Simmons knotted the game at 3-3 with a solo home to right center from Taylor Berlin, who finished 3-for-3, in the bottom of the third.

The Cowboys took their second lead of the game in the fifth. Brian Weeks drew a one-out walk, moved to third on a double by LeJuan Edwards and scored on a RBI ground out by Troy Tarrant to give his team the 4-3 lead.

Hardin-Simmons tacked on to its lead in the sixth. The Cowboys loaded the bases with one out. Brown induced a potential double play ball but it was mishandled by a Pioneer defender allowing a run to score. Brown hit the next batter to force in a run and end his afternoon. Hardin-Simmons added its third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly and then its fourth on a Berlin double to increase its lead to 8-3 after six innings.

Beatty doubled and scored on Snyder's two-out RBI single up the middle in the top of the eighth. Park kept the inning alive when he reached on the Cowboys' third error of the game. Junior pinch hitter Ben Hupp (Parkersburg, W.Va., Parkersburg) followed with a walk to load the bases. Grilliot cleared the bases with a three-run double. Sophomore right fielder Niko Stanislav (Olmsted Falls, Berea) continued the rally with a single to center to drive in Grilliot with the tying run. Saunders then gave the Etta Express back the lead 10-8 and completed the seven-run inning with a two-run shot to right field, his first career home run.

Hardin-Simmons answered in its half of the eighth against junior Mark Williams (Fayetteville, Perry), who entered to start the frame. Williams walked the first two hitters, and Tarrant followed with a two-run single to left to tie the game at 10-10.

Levens opened the ninth by reaching on a two-base error. Snyder walked to put two runners on base. Toth delivered a one-out single to drive in Levens with the go ahead run. Toth then scored an insurance run on a wild pitch with two outs to give Marietta a 12-10 lead.

Williams closed the door in the ninth to earn his second win of the season. The right-hander scattered two runs on one hit and five walks while striking out three over the final two innings.

Brown lasted 5 1/3 innings in his first collegiate start. He was charged with eight runs (six earned) on seven hits. Brown struck out four and walked four in the game. Sophomore Logan Lewis (Nashport, Tri Valley) worked the next 1 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two.

Tyler Brunnemann, making his first career start for the Cowboys, last just 2 1/3 innings. Brunnemann allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits, walked four and struck out one in the no decision. Classmate Parker Robinson followed with 5 1/3 strong innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits. Zach Stevens (0-1) took the loss. He allowed two runs on one hit in 1 1/3 frames.

Marietta travels across town tonight to play McMurry University, the other host school during its spring break trip. First pitch is slated for 8 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on WMOA-AM 1490 and online at http://wmoa1490.com. Live stats can be followed at http://www.sidearmstats.com/mcmurry/baseball/index.htm.