On Thursday, April 15th our men’s soccer team hosted a battle with Wilmington College in the Semi-Finals of the OAC tournament. Referred to as a “game for the ages” by head coach Joe Bergin, this match did not disappoint. Wilmington scored first in the 44th minute giving them a 1-0 edge. Later, in the 80th minute, Marietta’s Gavin Chappel sent a perfectly placed corner kick right to Caden Ferguson for the game-tying header. After finishing two overtimes tied 1-1, it was the penalty kicks where the Pioneers showed true determination. After a back and forth battle and PK’s from Elliot Britton and Reggie Grayek, goalkeeper Ryan Riccillo made a diving save to give Marietta a shot at the championship. Junior Colston Roades took full advantage sinking a bench-clearing PK sending the Pios to the OAC Championship. The Pios finished the regular season 7-2-1.
Photo from Marietta Athletics website.
Out of all the changes Marietta College has made due to COVID-19, the return of Friday night lights has to be the best. Our Pio football team took on Wilmington College in the last game of the season Friday, April 16th at Don Drumm Stadium. After a slow start, the Pios scored three touchdowns in the final 4 minutes for a smooth 21-0 lead at the half. Wilmington had trouble figuring out the strong Pioneer defense, notching their only score mid-third quarter. Two more red zone touchdowns in the fourth sealed the third win of the season for the Pios. Drake Neuburger, OAC sack leader, and Kyle Gallagher each had a pair of sacks in the win along with 100 yards on the ground from Bryce Agnew.
On a busy Saturday of Pioneer competition, our men’s crew team hosted Adrian College in a race on the Ohio River. In the varsity 8+ race, Marietta entered two boats which both easily beat Adrian by a whopping time of 12 seconds. The varsity 4+ race followed with the Pios getting another easy victory by 8 seconds. Adrian then finished 4 seconds sooner than the Pios avoiding the sweep in the third and final race, the freshman 4+.
Later that Saturday, the Pio baseball team hosted Baldwin Wallace for a double header. In the first bout, Marietta came out swinging with an early 2-0 in the first. The bats were hot and the defenses were on point as the Pios edged out a 7-6 win in extra innings. Pitcher Sam Matthews came into the game for Gino Sabatine in the 7th and was awarded the win. The following game was a battle until the 9th with the Pios up 7-5. The pios hit three batters and walked four as the Yellow Jackets scored six runs in the top of the inning to win the game 11-5. The split marked Marietta’s 17th win and 3rd loss.
The Pios and Yellow Jackets couldn’t get enough of each other as the Pios traveled up to Berea for their second double-header in two days on Sunday, April 18th. The Etta Express showed resilience in the first game, coming from behind twice. Entering the third inning down 3-0, the Pios notched two quick runs followed by a Damian Yenzi bomb over the left field wall to give the Pio’s a 4-3 advantage. After an hour long hail delay and some more offense from the Yellow Jackets, the Pios entered the 8th down 4-5. With two outs, a score on the previous at-bat and runners in scoring position, Jared Weiss stepped up and ripped a two-run single giving the Pios a 7-5 lead that led to their win. The Pios advanced to 18-3 overall with a 16-2 conference record. Due to the delay, the second game was canceled.
As the baseball team traveled to Berea, the softball team stayed home to play the Yellow Jackets in a double header of their own. The first game did not go as planned with the Jackets securing a 12-1 win through five innings. The Pios turned it around in the second game with a great defensive showing, allowing only three hits and one run in the 2-1 victory. Tied 1-1 entering the bottom of the 9th, the Pios had a chance to win and didn’t disappoint. After a lead-off single followed by a walk, Kylie Daughtery was in scoring position with Rachel Kazmirski coming to the batter’s box. The freshman outfielder pulled a double down the left line bringing the crowd to their feet as Daughtery crossed the plate for the game-winning run. Kazmirski finished 2-4 with the walk-off RBI.
By Rhys Thatcher
