CLEVELAND, Ohio — Marietta College pushed No. 3 ranked Case Western Reserve University to the brink before dropping a 6-5 decision Wednesday (May 3) afternoon in nonconference softball action. The Pioneers are 23-12 on the season, while the Spartans improve to 32-2 overall.
Jess Brown (Brookville, Ohio/Brookville) smacked a two-run single in the top of the seventh inning to knot the score, 5-5. But Case Western answered with a run in the bottom of the frame for the win.
Rachel Kazmirski (Colliers, W.Va./Brooke) spotted Marietta an early 2-0 lead.
Taylor Watts (Galloway, Ohio/West Jefferson) led off with a walk after fouling off nine pitches.
Camryn Campbell (Mansfield, Ohio/Lexington) sacrificed Watts into scoring position. Kazmirski deposited the 0-2 pitch over the fence in right center for her 12th home run of the season.
Case Western got a pair of two-run doubles in the bottom of the first to take a 4-2 lead. KaiLi Gross and Kela Jagoda led off with singles and came around to score on a double from Carli Tucci. Tucci and Elizabeth Berry, who walked, scored on a double from Stevie Rieger.
Gross made it 5-2 with a solo home run to left center in the second inning.
Jillian Middleton (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta) took over in the circle for the Pioneers and shut down the Case Western offense. Middleton blanked the Spartans for 3.0 innings giving up just one hit and one walk.
Marietta cut the deficit with one run in the sixth. The Pioneers loaded the bases for
Jillian Strecansky (Columbiana, Ohio/South Range) who flied out to deep centerfield.
Leah Weber (Bakersfield, Calif./Garces Memorial) scored on the sac fly.
Kazmirski walked to led off the top of the seventh inning. She was lifted for pinch runner,
Shelby Metzger (Beavercreek Township, Ohio/Beavercreek). Middleton reached on an infield single and advanced to second when Case Western tried to get Metzger who slid in safely at third base. Brown lined a single to right center scoring Metzger and Middleton.
A sac bunt and a ground out moved Brown to third base with two outs. The Spartans got out of trouble with an inning-ending strikeout.
Breanna Zirkle (Pomeroy, Ohio/Meigs) took over in the circle for Marietta to start the bottom of the seventh. Following a ground out, Jagoda singled and Amanda Riely walked moving Jagoda into scoring position. Tucci singled up the middle scoring Jagoda with the winning run.
Zirkle (5-1) took the loss giving up one run on two hits with one walk in one-third of an inning.
Sarah Keating (Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth) started and allowed four runs on four hits in 1.0 inning.
Amelia Timko (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick) threw 2.0 innings and was charged with one run on two hits.
Lexi Miskey (20-0) started the game and worked 5.0 innings before turning the ball over to Kylie Hosey. Miskey returned to the circle in the seventh inning to shut down the Pioneer rally. Miskey pitched 6.0 innings and gave up two runs on two hits. She walked six and struck out six. Hosey allowed three runs on four hits with three walks in 1.0 inning.
Kazmirski and Brown each had two hits and two runs batted in for the Pioneers. Kazmirski homered and Brown had a double.
Marietta will close out its Ohio Athletic Conference schedule on Sunday (May 7) at Capital University. The Pioneers will be trying to secure their first OAC Regular Season championship. The first game starts at 1:00 p.m.
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams 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.
