MARIETTA, Ohio - Marietta College centerfielder Brianna Finck (New Lexington, Ohio/Crooksville) gunned down Amanda Lahti at the plate for the final out to preserve the Pioneers' 6-5 win over visiting Ohio Northern University Friday (March 25) afternoon. Marietta moves to 9-9 on the season and opens Ohio Athletic Conference play at 1-1. The Polar Bears are 11-9 overall and 1-1 in the OAC.

Ohio Northern grabbed the lead with three unearned runs in the fourth inning. Gia Saturday provided the big hit with a two-run double into the gap in right center.

Marietta finally got the bats going in the bottom half of the frame sending 11 hitters to the plate and scoring five times. ONU starting pitcher Kirsten Lightel, who limited the Pioneers to one hit in the first game of the day, cruised through the first three innings.

Kaitlin Klinchock (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) started the rally with a single through the left side of the Polar Bear infield. Kaitlin Presely would eventually plate Marietta's first run with a bases loaded single. Cierra Bloom (Dennison, Ohio/Claymont) drove in two with a base hit and Finck scored another with a single chasing Lightel from the game.

The Pioneers added what would prove to be the winning run in the sixth. Ali Prologo (Canfield, Ohio/Canfield) led off with a double. Bloom reached on an infield single giving Marietta runners on the corners. MC executed its first and third offense to perfection as Bloom drew a throw to second base on an attempted steal, while Prologo sprinted home.

Kristina LaRocca (Strasburg, Ohio/Strasburg Franklin) (2-1) turned in a strong performance in the circle earning her second victory of the season. She scattered seven hits and allowed five unearned runs while walking two and striking out three.

The Polar Bears took advantage of a Marietta error to make things interesting in the seventh. Ohio Northern had runners at second and third with two outs when a throwing error allowed both runners to score cutting the Pioneer lead to one, 6-5.

Kylie Dickman pinch hit and delivered a base hit to center field. Lahti, who had reached on the error rounded third and headed for home. But Finck threw a perfect strike to catcher Rachel Montgomery (Massillon, Ohio/Perry) for the final out.

Lightel (7-2) was tagged with the loss. She started and pitched 3.2 innings giving up five runs, all earned, on seven hits. Kaitlin Surdej worked the final 2.1 innings and allowed one run on three hits.

Bloom and Klinchock each had two hits for the Pioneers.

The story in game one was Lightel's one hit gem in the circle. She didn't allow a base hit until the sixth inning as the Pioneers struggled to get going on offense.

Marietta's lone run reached base on a walk and scored when Montgomery laced a single to left field.

Ohio Northern scored one in the first inning and added two more in the fifth for the 3-1 win.

Jocelyn White (Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton) (2-3) pitched seven strong innings in the losing effort. She allowed eight hits and struck out three.

The Pioneers travel to Kenyon College on Saturday (March 26) for a nonconference doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. Fans can follow the Pioneers all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.