MARIETTA, Ohio — Sophomore Mike Mahaffey (Worthington, Bishop Watterson) threw seven shutout innings, while sophomore middle infielders Tim Saunders (Alliance, Alliance) and Kirby Becker (South Euclid, St. Ignatius) both collected three hits to lead the #8 Etta Express to a 14-0 victory over visiting La Roche (Pa.) College Tuesday (April 6) night at Don Schaly Stadium. With the victory, Marietta College improved to 18-4, while the loss dropped the Redhawks to 8-8 on the season. [Box Score]

Mahaffey, who made his third start, scattered four hits and struck out eight in seven innings to earn his first victory of the season. Sophomore Logan Lewis (Nashport, Tri Valley) and freshman Luke Langdon (Troy, Troy) both allowed one hit in scoreless innings to preserve the Pioneers' fifth shutout of the year.

Marietta finished with 13 hits and overcame one error, while La Roche had six hits and made three errors in the game.

Senior designated hitter Chris Beatty (Seven Fields, Pa., Hampton), who finished 2-for-4, belted his seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot, to give the Etta Express a 2-0 advantage in the first inning.

The Pioneers stretched their advantage to 5-0 when they scored three runs with two outs in the fourth. Senior catcher Dan Jones (Lima, Shawnee) laced his first home run of the season. Saunders, who went 3-for-5 with four runs scored and three RBI, drove in the second run with a bunt single and then scored the third on a throwing error.

Marietta's lead grew to 7-0 in the sixth when junior left fielder Britt Meador (Columbus, Worthington Kilbourne) drove in a run with a bunt single and a second run came across when the throw to first got away from the Redhawk defender.

The Etta Express broke the game open with a seven-run seventh. Sophomore third baseman Kyle Lindquist (Columbus, Worthington Kilbourne) hit a two-run single, Becker, who finished 3-for-3 with three runs scored, added a RBI double, Saunders drilled a two-run triple and sophomore pinch hitter Jordan Grilliot (Brookville, Northmont) connected on a two-run double in the frame.

Marietta is back in action Thursday (April 8) night when #4 the College of Wooster visits Don Schaly Stadium. First pitch of the Mideast Region showdown is slated for 7 p.m. WMOA-AM 1490 will broadcast the game, which can also be heard online at http://wmoa1490.com. Live statistics can be track at http://www.marietta.edu/athletics/livetstats/xlive.htm.