NEW CONCORD, Ohio — The No. 17 ranked Marietta College baseball team swept an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader at Muskingum University Wednesday (April 19) afternoon. The Etta Express came from behind to win game one, 11-10, and then blew the Muskies out in a seven inning, run-ruled game two by the score of 20-2.
Marietta, winners of seven in a row, improves to 24-8 overall and 9-3 in the OAC. Muskingum falls to 16-13 on the season and 4-8 in the OAC.
The Pioneers appeared to have game one under control leading 9-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. However, the Muskies had other thoughts and took advantage of three Marietta errors to score six runs and take a 10-9 lead into the ninth.
Marietta regrouped and
Matthew Busby (St. Clairsville, Ohio/St. Clairsville) reached on a one-out single. He moved into scoring position on a passed ball.
Nick Bonnizzio (Hudson, Ohio/Twinsburg) hit a line drive right at the Muskie first baseman that glanced off the defender's glove. Bonnizzio advanced to second and Busby to third on the error.
Alex Richter (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) doubled to left center scoring both runners and giving the Pioneers an 11-10 lead.
Gino Sabatine (Alliance, Ohio/West Branch) took over on the mound for Marietta in the bottom of the ninth and retired the Muskies in order, including two strikeouts, for his first save of the season.
Kail Hill (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) (8-1) picked up the win in relief. Hill gave up four runs, one earned, on two hits in the bottom of the eighth. He worked two-thirds of an inning.
Forrest Havanis (Washington, Pa./Trinity) started and threw 3.0 innings allowing two runs, one earned, on three hits.
Zach Marzetz (Blacklick, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) pitched 2.2 innings and gave up two unearned runs on two hits, while
Jacob Rocky (Strongsville, Ohio/St. Ignatius) pitched 1.2 innings and allowed two unearned runs on two hits as well.
Blake Jodrey started for the Muskies and was charged with six runs, four earned, on eight hits in 5.0 innings of work. Jason Murphy threw 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on two hits. Jake Roshau gave up one run on two hits in 1.1 innings. Clark Jennings (2-1) was tagged with the loss giving up two runs, one earned, on two hits in the ninth inning.
Ty Davis (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) had three hits, including a double, and drove in three runs for the Pioneers. Richter finished with two doubles and three RBI. Bonnizzio,
Brett Carson (Ashville, Ohio/Teays Valley),
Trent Valentine (Byesville, Ohio/Cambridge) and
Ben Kaplin (Louisville, Ky./Ballard) all had two hits in the game for Marietta.
Game two saw the Pioneers plate five runs in the first inning and never look back. Marietta added one in the second and then scored seven in the third and fifth innings for the decisive victory.
Carson (2-2) started and got the win throwing 5.0 innings and allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits with four walks and five strikeouts.
Jared Bees (Pittsburgh, Pa./Eden Christian) worked 2.0 hitless, shutout innings striking out four, while
Gabe Torres (El Paso, Texas/Bel Air) retired each of the three hitters he faced in the seventh.
Max Vosters (2-1) started and took the loss for Muskingum. He was tagged for six runs on seven hits in 2.0 innings. Nathan Johnson, Jaxson Rinkes and Trent Youngeberg each threw in relief for the Muskies.
The Pioneers sent nine batters to the plate in the top of the first. Bonnizzio led off with a walk. Singles from Richter and Carson loaded the bases. Davis followed with an RBI single scoring Bonnizzio.
Valentine drove in Richter with a groundout. Kaplin and
Austin Amburgey (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) each drove in a run with singles, while Busby plated the fifth run with a groundout.
Muskingum scored one in the first and another in the second cutting the Pioneer lead to 5-2.
Marietta erupted for seven runs in the top of the third. Valentine and Amburgey each had RBI doubles, while Marzetz, Bonnizzio, Carson and Kaplin each drove in one run in the inning.
The Pioneers added seven more runs in the fifth inning. The big blow was a grand slam from Carson over the fence in right field.
Davis finished 4-for-6, while Carson had three hits and five RBI. Valentine, Kaplin, Amburgey and Marzetz had two hits apiece.
Marietta travels to University Heights on Saturday (April 22) for a doubleheader at John Carroll University. The first game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start.
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.
