Written by: Zachary Worstell (zdw001@marietta.edu)
Marietta College have played half of their conference games this season and are currently 5th in the OAC standings with a 5-3 record. Overall, the Pioneers are 7-14 with their next games being versus the #1 ranked, 21-1, Denison University and Anderson University (15-11-1) on Sunday April 12th in Granville Ohio.
Marietta played their first conference series versus Otterbein University. Austin Ziance pitched his second complete game of the season in the Pioneers dominant 14-1 game one victory. In game two, Luke Czarmomski struck out nine in six innings leading to the Pios 7-0 sweep.
The following week Ziance recorded another win as the Pioneers dominated Ohio Northern on the road. The Etta Express recorded twelve hits in their 12-1 game one win. Czarmomski got the start for game two and gave up two solo shot homers in the first. ONU extended their lead to 6-0 by the 3rd inning. The Pios responded late with five runs off of seven hits but ultimately lost 8-5 in the second game.
Marietta kicked of April at hosting the Heidelberg Student Princes. To start the series, Ziance threw another complete game and extended his winning streak to three. Jameson Embrescia led the way with three RBIs in the Express’ 10-2 win. Embrescia homered to give the Pios a 2-0 lead, however a strong 4th inning by the Student Princes shifted the game as they scored ten runs on eight hits off of four Pioneer pitchers. The Princes added some insurance runs in the ladder innings resulting in a Pioneer 19-3 loss.
Ziance gave up one run in the first inning vs rival Muskingum University. The Etta Express were not able to help Ziance as they only amounted two hits in the game. Ziance was pulled in the 9th for Jared Bees, Bees gave up three runs to close the game in a 4-0 Pioneer loss. Czarmomski struck out twelve in 7 innings for the Pios leading them to a 2-1 victory. The Pioneers won in extras off of a walk off single by Zack Molloy.
Marietta College’s next game is on the road versus Denison and Anderson on Sunday April 12th. The Etta Express are home the following Sunday versus Denison for Youth Day. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. at Don and Sue Schaly Field at Pioneer Park. Tickets are live at Baseball vs. Denison | marietta Box Office.
