HILTON HEAD, S.C. — With the match tied at 4-4, all eyes were on
Jon Fitzwater (Rising Sun, Md./Rising Sun). The newcomer didn't disappoint posting a 7-5, 6-4 win at No. 6 singles to finish Marietta College's come from behind win over Thomas More College Monday (March 9) afternoon. The Pioneers move to 2-3 on the season, while Thomas More slips to 1-3 overall.
"What an incredible comeback," head coach
Mike Carpenter said. "Jon did an awesome job in just the second match of his collegiate career. He was battling bad cramps, but gutted it out."
Thomas More led 2-1 after doubles play and grabbed two quick singles wins for a 4-1 lead. That's when Marietta went to work, winning the four remaining singles matches to secure the victory.
The Saints took Nos. 1 and 2 doubles to start the match. Austin and Jared Justice downed Alex Schaefer and
Tanner Sigman (Winfield, W.Va./Poca) at No. 1 by the score of 8-4. Sergio Pascual and Sam Lewsi were 8-5 winners at No. 2 over
Justin McGinnis (New Kensington, Pa./Kiski Area) and
Chase Leisure (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg).
Marietta got on the board when
Brendan Adkinson (Bellevue/Bellevue) and Fitzwater posted an 8-3 win at No. 3 against Will Neltner and Michael Stephens.
Pascual and Austin Justice extended the Saints' lead with wins at Nos. 2 and 3 singles. Pascual was a 6-1, 6-0 winner against Sigman at No. 2, while Justice took down McGinnis at No. 3, 6-1 and 6-1.
Schaeffer got the ball rolling in Marietta's favor with a 6-1, 6-4 victory in the top spot against Jared Justice. Leisure was next to finish posting a thrilling 5-7, 6-4, 10-4 win against Neltner at No. 4.
Adkinson tied the match at 4-4 with a win at No. 5. Adkinson defeated Lewis 3-6, 7-5 and 10-8.
That set the stage for Fitzwater. Fitzwater took the first set from Stephens, 7-5. He sealed the win with a 6-4 tally in the second set.
Marietta plays Roosevelt University at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday (March 11). Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
