Etta Express eliminated from OAC Tournament with 4-1 loss to Heidelberg
Marietta will now await word on an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament

May 11, 2007
TIFFIN, Ohio — The National Champion Marietta College baseball team suffered a 4-1 loss to top-seeded and host Heidelberg College on day two of the 2007 Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament. The loss eliminated the Pioneers from the tournament and most likely ended their season.

If the Etta Express’ season is over—the team will know for sure when the NCAA announces its at-large selections on Monday (May 14)—Marietta will finish the year 28-14. It would also conclude the careers of seniors Ryan Belanger (Coldwater, Mich.), Ryan Eschbaugh (Marietta) and Joe Litke (Windsor, Conn.).

Heidelberg (28-14), who led the entire game, out-hit Marietta 9-7. The Pioneers had two errors and the Student Princes made one in the game.

Sophomore T.J. Knowlton (Greenwich/Mapleton) took the loss to fall to 7-1 on the year. The right-hander allowed a run in the second and two in the fourth. He gave up three runs (two earned) on eight hits and struck out one in seven innings. Sophomore Justin Merryman (New Philadelphia) worked the final two frames, allowing one run on one hit while walking one and striking out two.

Junior Adam McFarland improved to 7-1 with a complete game victory. He allowed one run on eight hits, walked two and struck out a pair.

Eschbaugh and freshman Jeremy Reese (Massillon/Washington) both had two hits for Marietta in the loss. Tyler Tocco went 3-for-3, while Matt Decker and Tony Pawlowicz both had two hits.

Fourth-seed Capital will take on third-seeded Otterbein in the OAC Tournament title game on Saturday (May 12). The Cardinals will need to defeat the Crusaders twice in order to win the championship. The champion gets the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.