Etta Express defeat Central (IA) 17-10 in 11 innings

Mar. 10, 2005
PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida - Despite the black cloud surrounding the Marietta College baseball fraternity, brought on by the death of their former leader, hall of fame coach Don Schaly, the 2005 Etta Express provided a momentary bright spot, as they pulled out a 17-10, 11-inning victory over Central (IA) in a crazy day at the Port Charlotte (FL) Sports Complex.

Marietta (3-2) was originally slated to play Messiah (PA) in a doubleheader. However, the field conditions allowed only one game to be played this afternoon and officials decided that the Pioneers would take on Central (IA) College, who was scheduled to play a game at 9:30 a.m. that morning, instead of Messiah.

Junior Mike DeMark (Jeanette, PA/Penn-Trafford) took to hill to start the game for the Etta Express. DeMark allowed seven runs on eight hits over 5.3 innings. He struck out five, walked one and hit three batters, before leaving the ball game.

Seniors Justin Papania (Butler, PA) and Mike Mooney (Pittsburgh, PA/Shady Side Academy) kept the Pioneers in the game until the offense was able to break the contest open with seven runs in the 11th inning. Papania surrendered an unearned run on one hit in 2.6 innings, while Mooney threw two innings, giving up two unearned runs on three hits. Mooney (2-0) picked up the win, while freshman Jeff Feigl (Severn, MD/Arundel) closed the game with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 11th.

Offensively, Marietta pounded out 18 hits, while the Dutch finished with 12. The Pioneers exploded for three runs in the third, five in the eighth and seven in the 11th.

Junior Lee Gurerra (Wolcot, CT) stayed hot at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Senior Chris Sidick (Cecil, PA/Canon McMillan) led off the game with a home run and finished 3-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBI in the win. Sophomore Ryan Belanger (Coldwater, MI) and freshman Dominick Winters (Washington, PA) each added three hits in the game.

Junior Chris Hendicks (Little Hocking/Warren) had the game-winning RBI with a sacrifice fly to score freshman pinch runner Tyler Banachowski (Sylvania) in the 11th.

Marietta has three games, one junior varsity and two varsity, on its schedule tomorrow. The JV Pioneers will open at 9 a.m. against Kings JVs. The Etta Express will then take on Messiah (PA) at 12:30 p.m. and then Concordia (WI) at 3 p.m.