KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The University of Rochester scored four times in the first two innings to knock off No. 6 ranked Marietta College 4-1 Friday (Feb. 24) afternoon in the D3 Showcase. Both teams move to 1-1 on the young season.
The Etta Express jumped on top with an unearned run in the top of the first inning.
Nick Bonnizzio (Hudson, Ohio/Twinsburg) led off with an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error.
Alex Richter (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) followed with a single to left moving Bonnizzio over to third base.
The Pioneers attempted a double steal, but Bonnizzio was put out at the plate. A walk to
Brett Carson (Ashville, Ohio/Teays Valley) and an error allowed
Ben Kaplin (Louisville, Ky./Ballard) to reach loading the bases.
Ty Davis (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) worked a bases loaded walk scoring Richter.
Rochester answered with two unearned runs in the bottom of the frame. Aaron Whitley reached on an error and Jackson Reed singled to right field. Following a pair of outs, both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Josh Leadem walked, and John Mosses singled through the left side scoring Whitley and Reed.
Two more runs in the second inning was all the offense Rochester would need. Dan Tirabassi reached on a one-out double to the centerfield wall. Whitely tripled to right center scoring Tirabassi. Reed drove in Whitley with a ground ball to second base.
Nolan Sparks (1-0) started on the mound for Rochester and got the win. He tossed 5.0 innings and gave up one unearned run on four hits. Sparks walked three and struck out seven. Thomas Blaydes worked 3.0 innings of one-hit relief walking two and striking out four. Mark Aaronson picked up the save with 1.0 inning of hitless relief.
Gino Sabatine (Alliance, Ohio/West Branch) (0-1) started and threw 5.0 innings in the losing effort. He gave up four runs, two earned, on five hits. Sabatine walked one and struck out five.
Jared Bees (Pittsburgh, Pa./Eden Christian) gave up two hits in 3.0 innings of relief. He walked one and struck out one.
Richter led the Pioneer offense with three hits in four at bats.
Marietta plays Washington and Lee University Saturday (Feb.25) at 8:00 p.m.
Fans can follow all 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.
