DeMark and Eisenberg throw complete game shutouts on Etta Express' final day of Texas Trip
Marietta improves to 7-4 with sweep of Texas Wesleyan

Mar. 17, 2006
FORT WORTH, Texas — Pitching dominated eighth-ranked Marietta College baseball's doubleheader sweep of NAIA foe Texas Wesleyan Friday (Mar. 17) afternoon on the final day of the Pioneer's eight-game Spring Break trip. With the two wins, 1-0 and 5-0, Marietta went 7-1 on the trip and improved to 7-4 on the season.

Senior ace Mike DeMark (2-0) took the hill for his second start of the year and the trip in the opener. The right-hander was sharp from the outset and allowed just four hits, striking out seven and walking two, in the complete game victory.

Marietta hitters collected 10 hits in the game, but did not score until the sixth inning. Senior Jarrod Klausman led off the frame with a single to center field to extend his season hit streak to 10 games. He then moved to third on an error by the shortstop on a ball hit by sophomore Tony Piconke. Piconke was then thrown out trying to swipe second base, before junior Joe Litke broke the scoreless tie with a RBI single up the middle to plate Klausman, who turned out to be the only run of the game.

Junior Ryan Belanger, the team's lead off hitter, went 3-for-4, while Litke and junior Ryan Eschbaugh each had a pair of hits.

Marietta looked to make it five straight when junior Mike Eisenberg made his third start of the season in the second game. Eisenberg followed DeMark's performance with a pitching gem of his own to lead the Pioneers to a 5-0 win.

Eisenberg allowed a two-out single in the bottom of the first inning, but that was the only hit Texas Wesleyan could muster against the right-hander, who improved to 2-0 with the victory. Eisenberg struck out six in the game.

The Etta Express didn't wait long to get on the board in the second game. Belanger opened the game with a single and later scored on a hit by Piconke.

Marietta added three more runs in the second frame. Senior catcher Lee Guerrera, sophomore Devan Ward and Belanger all singled and score in the inning. Senior Chris Hendricks had the big hit, a two-run single to left.

The Pioneers plated an insurance run in the fifth, when Piconke doubled with one out, stole third base and raced home a sacrifice fly by Litke.

Marietta finished with nine hits in the win. Belanger went 3-for-4 for the second straight game. Piconke and Guerrera each had two hits for the Pioneers.

The Etta Express will return to action Tuesday (Mar. 21) against St. Vincent (Pa.). It will be the 2006 home opener for Marietta and first pitch is slated for 4 p.m. A junior-varsity game is set to begin at 1 p.m.