2007 Marietta College baseball preview
Etta Express reloading after National Championship run in 2006

Feb. 25, 2007
MARIETTA, Ohio — The Etta Express, under the direction of fourth-year Head Coach Brian Brewer, will have another long road ahead of itself in 2007. Marietta will have to replace many of the major contributors to the 2006 National Championship squad, including four of its top five pitchers as well as the team's center fielder, catcher and two middle-of-the-order bats. Three of those players—senior Mike DeMark (San Diego Padres), senior Jarrod Klausman (Washington Wild Things) and junior Mike Eisenberg (Cleveland Indians)—signed professional contracts after the season.

The Pioneers return just six lettermen—four every day players and one starting pitcher—from last year's 43-11 squad, which captured the program's fourth national championship. Marietta also won national championships in 1981, 1983 and 1986.

Senior shortstop Ryan Eschbaugh, senior second baseman Ryan Belanger, senior first baseman Joe Litke, junior right fielder Tony Piconke, junior designated hitter Tom Doty and sophomore pitcher Jason Baumler—who all played key roles in Marietta's championship run—return to lead the young Pioneers in 2007.

Litke, a second team All-Region and first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection, returns after a breakout season in 2006. In 52 games, the left-handed hitter batted .401 (61-of-152) with 41 runs scored, both of which ranked second on the team.

Belanger, also a first team All-OAC honoree, finished fourth on the team in hitting with a .325 average (67-of-206). He also led the Pioneers in runs scored (57), doubles (13) and stolen bases (16).

Injuries plagued both Eschbaugh and Piconke at times in the batter's box but they were solid defensively throughout last season. Eschbaugh finished the year hitting .263 (41-of-156) but batted .320 (8-of-25) in the postseason. Piconke hit .280 (53-of-189) during the regular season but went 2-for-4 with a home run in the national championship game.

Doty played sparingly during the season but made the most of his postseason opportunities, earning MVP honors at the NCAA Mideast Regional. In six postseason games, Doty batted .615 (8-of-13); he will look to carry that confidence into this season.

Baumler, with just one year under his belt, will be asked to carry the load for the young pitching staff early in the season. Baumler went 8-2 with 40 strikeouts and a 3.57 ERA in 75 2/3 innings of work last year.

Sophomores Justin Merryman and T.J. Knowlton, who combined for just 17 appearances, one start and 20 2/3 innings, are the only other Pioneers to see significant varsity time on the mound in 2006.

Marietta is slated to open up its season against Piedmont (Ga.) in Demorest (Ga.) on March 3. The Pioneers will also be traveling to Texas again for Spring Break (March 12-16). MC's home opener at Don Schaly Stadium is scheduled against LaRoche (Pa.) on March 20. A doubleheader showdown with Otterbein will take place in Westerville on April 7.

Marietta's team goals remain the same for 2007 as they have been since 1964: win the Ohio Athletic Conference, the Mideast Regional and the NCAA Division III World Series.

Here is how the 2007 Pioneers look position-by-position:

Pitchers:  Heading into last year, Marietta's pitching staff was considered young outside of its top two starters. This season, the Pioneers are young on the mound in every aspect. Jason Baumler (RHP, 8-2, 40 SO, 3.57 ERA) is considered the lone veteran and he is just a sophomore. He will be asked to lead the staff until the younger arms are acclimated to the varsity level. Sophomores Justin Merryman (LHP, 0-1, 11 SO, 4.41 ERA) and T.J. Knowlton (RHP, 1-0, 11 SO, 5.88 ERA) will look to use the experience that they gained pitching in the postseason to fill more prominent roles in the rotation this spring. In addition, freshman Joe Pitrone is an early favorite for the role of fourth starter. Pioneer fans should also look for junior Derek Cummings and freshman Tyler Penwell, who is also an infielder, to contribute out of the bullpen this spring.

Catcher:  Sophomore Jayson Roth is the lone returning catcher on the squad. Roth worked diligently on the junior varsity squad before joining the postseason roster as a backup in 2006. He will be challenged by a pair of freshman—Danny Jones and Chris Beatty—for time behind the plate.

First Base:  Senior Joe Litke, who split time at first base last year, will take over everyday duties in 2007. The 2006 All-Region and All-OAC honoree will also provide a left-handed presence in the batter's box. Junior Tom Doty, the MVP of the 2006 Mideast Regional, who is expected to be the primary designated hitter, will also provide depth at first base this spring.

Middle Infield:  Senior Ryan Belanger was the top second baseman in the OAC a year ago and he is expected to hold onto that title for one more year. The leadoff hitter's athleticism was highlighted during MC's postseason run and the three-year mainstay at second base gives the Pioneers a real stolen base threat. Senior Ryan Eschbaugh, who has played all over the infield since joining the Pioneers, returns at shortstop in 2007. His defensive skills are as good as they come and he continues to develop offensively. Sophomores Cameron Cimino and Brennan Cribbins, as well as freshman Tyler Penwell will provide depth at multiple infield positions this spring.

Third Base:  Junior Dom Winters will look to fill the void left at third base. He is a middle-of-the-order bat that Marietta will lean on for a solid year with both the bat and glove.  

Outfield:  Junior Tony Piconke, a two-year starter, will return to lead a young outfield. Piconke roamed left field as a freshman and then right field as a sophomore. He should remain on the right side and will look to have a breakout year offensively this season. Justin Merryman, when not pitching, will likely hold down center field while sophomore Don Pugliese is the early favorite to start in left field. Both players have improved tremendously since they stepped on campus as freshmen, and they will be asked to continue that development in the heat of battle this season. Freshmen Kristian DeJeet and Jeremy Reese will compete for time in the outfield as well this spring.

Outlook:  Like last year, the veteran players will be asked to play well enough offensively and defensively to take the pressure off a young pitching staff. While there might be some early-season bumps and bruises, the coaching staff is optimistic that things will come together and Marietta will continue to be a force in the OAC.