MARIETTA, Ohio — Casey Levens (Dayton/Centerville) has witnessed a lot of strange things during his baseball career, but nothing like he was part of Friday.

"I don't think going in that anyone thought it would be anything like this, but it was a kind of a pleasant surprise," Levens said. "We've done this against other teams, but never against someone the quality of Heidelberg."

Levens wasn't alone in his amazement.

Probably every one of the 823 fans at Don Schaly Stadium were stunned as well as No. 1 Marietta belted out 23 hits en route to a 23-6 victory over No. 10 Heidelberg in a winner's bracket game of the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional. [Box Score]

"It wasn't easy because there was a lot of hard work that goes into preparing for a game, but we were certainly surprised," said Marietta coach Brian Brewer. "Heidelberg is a talented team and they could turn around and do the same thing to us."

Marietta (41-3) jumped on Heidelberg (35-12) early and often.

The Pioneers opened the game with five runs on five hits as 10 batters hit in the inning. Levens and Alex Toth (Painesville/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) each singled in two runs apiece to stake starting pitcher Mark Williams (Fayetteville/Perry) to a comfortable lead.

"The offense showed up early and it made it easy for me," said Williams, who was perfect through the first 4 2/3 innings. "Our pitching staff is still deep and this really does help us tomorrow."

Williams improved to 7-1 after striking out six and allowing just three hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Brewer was then able to get some younger pitchers into the game for some regional exposure.

But all anyone could talk about during and after the game was Marietta's offensive explosion.

Every Pioneer starter had a hit and eight of them had multiple hits. Leading the way was Evan Brockmeier, who went 4-for-5 in his first start of the regional. Brockmeier's performance helped redeem his 1-for-7 showing in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament last weekend.

"I was trying to play up to my potential," Brockmeier said. "I went out there today and relaxed and just let my speed work for me."

John Snyder (Altoona, Pa./Altoona), the OAC's Jack Rafeld Player the Year, went 3-for-4 with four RBI and a double, while Aaron Hopper (Wheelersburg/Wheelersburg) was 3-for-4 with three RBI and a double. Jordan Grilliot (Brookville/Northmont) chipped in with three hits.

Overall, Marietta plated four runs in the second, three in the third, six in the fourth, three in the sixth and two in the seventh.

Heidelberg added some late runs off Marietta's relievers. Derek Andrzejczak led the way with two hits and three RBI.

Marietta needs just one more win to advance to the Division III Championship in Appleton, Wis. However, the Pioneers must wait to find out who they'll play Saturday. Three teams remain—Heidelberg, Case Western Reserve and Franklin—in the Mideast loser's bracket.

What time Marietta plays is still up in the air also. If Case beats Franklin Friday, then Saturday's action begins with Heidelberg and Case. If Franklin wins, then Marietta plays at 1 p.m.

Once Heidelberg coach Matt Palm realized the likelihood of a comeback was remote he did his best to position his team for a chance to win three straight.

"That's what we have to do now," he said. "This isn't how we scripted it, but sometimes you decide to retreat. We still feel good about our pitching staff. We still have three good ones (Sylvester Nino, Elvin Williams Jr. and Chris Thomas) left."

The Student Princes also have the nation's best closer in Andy Lowe, who has yet to throw an inning in the regional.

"Tournament baseball is a goofy thing," Palm said. "We've played three games and we haven't had an opportunity to use Andy."