GREENSBORO, N.C. — Marietta College Baseball has a long history of playing exceptional defense, but the 2021 Etta Express set a new standard posting a school record .977 team fielding percentage. The previous mark of .975 was set in 1994.
It comes as no surprise that the Pioneers are well represented on the 2021 American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings NCAA Division III Gold Glove Team announced Wednesday (June 23) afternoon. Juniors
Drew Holderbach (Fairfield, Ohio/Badin) and
Sam Mathews (Fairfield, Ohio/Badin) were honored as the top defensive player in the nation at their respective positions giving Marietta two of the nine spots on the Division III team.
Holderbach (first base) and Mathews (pitcher) are the first Pioneers to earn Gold Glove honors since outfielder Aaron Hopper in 2013 and catcher Alex Toth in 2012.
A converted middle infielder, Holderbach played his first full season at first base after COVID-19 cut the 2020 season short. He posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage after handling 427 total chances without committing an error this spring.
Holderbach's list of awards this season include a pair of second team All-Mideast Region selections, first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference, Division III National Hitter of the Week, Academic All-OAC and a spot on the OAC Tournament All-Tournament Team.
Mathews's exceptional ability to field his position resulted in a flawless 1.000 fielding percentage in 2021. He recorded an impressive 20 assists and opposing base runners were 0-for-2 on stolen base attempts with Mathews on the mound.
The ABCA/Rawlings Mideast Region and OAC Kent Tekulve Pitcher of the Year, Mathews earned first team All-America honors from the ABCA/Rawlings and was a second team All-America pick by D3baseball.com. He was named to both organizations All-Mideast Region first teams, first team All-OAC and the NCAA Mideast Regional All-Tournament Team.
The Etta Express went 38-6 on the season winning the OAC Regular Season and Tournament championships. Marietta made its 43rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament advancing to the Regional finals before falling to Rowan University.
Fans can follow the Etta Express 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.
