Seven Pioneers named All-OAC in 2007
Belanger and Piconke earn first team honors

May 16, 2007
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio — The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) announced the 2007 Baseball All-OAC Teams and Special Award Winners Wednesday (May 16) afternoon, and seven Marietta College players received recognition. Senior Ryan Belanger (Coldwater, Mich.) and junior Tony Piconke (Clinton Twp., Mich./Clintondale) picked up first team honors, sophomore T.J. Knowlton (Greenwich/Mapleton) and freshman Nate Eschbaugh (Marietta) were named to the second team, while seniors Ryan Eschbaugh (Marietta) and Joe Litke (Windsor, Conn.) as well as sophomore Justin Merryman (New Philadelphia) earned honorable mention.

For Belanger, it is the the third straight year that he received a Conference honor, having been named first team All-OAC in 2006 and given honorable mention in 2005. As of May 12, the second baseman played in 32 games and was hitting .357 with 40 hits in 112 at-bats. Belanger had scored 23 runs and hit eight doubles, one triple and one home run with 18 RBI. Despite battling a leg injury all season, he was also 5-of-7 in stolen base attempts.

Piconke, who was also named first team All-OAC as a freshman in 2005, leads the Etta Express in almost every statistical category. The center fielder, who has started all 42 games, enters the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Tournament hitting a team-high .376. He also paces the team in at-bats (149), hits (56), runs scored (39), doubles (13), home runs (8), RBI (30) and stolen bases (12).

Knowlton, who saw limited action as a freshman, stepped up early to lead a very young pitching staff and is currently 7-1 on the year with two saves and a 4.05 ERA. In 66 2/3 innings, he has allowed 34 runs (30 earned) on 79 hits, struck out 37 and walked 13. Knowlton, who won his first seven decisions, has made 18 appearances, started 10 games and collected three complete games so far this spring.

Nate Eschbaugh is having a breakout season as a freshman pitcher in 2007. The right-hander holds a record of 4-2 with two saves and a 2.74 ERA in his first 14 appearances, which included five starts and two complete games. Eschbaugh has allowed 16 runs (14 earned) on 50 hits with nine walks and 24 strikeouts in 46 innings of work.

Ryan Eschbaugh, a four-year mainstay in the Pioneers' infield, was also named honorable mention All-OAC as a freshman in 2004. The shortstop, who has played in 41 of 42 games, enters the Regional Tournament hitting .267 (32-for-120) with eight doubles, one triple, 24 runs scored and 12 RBI. He is also 9-of-11 in stolen base attempts and has collected a team-best 130 assists on defense.

Litke, a first team All-OAC selection in 2006, is hitting .280 with 35 hits in 125 at-bats this season. The first baseman, who recently transitioned to third base, has five doubles and four home runs while driving in 22 and scoring 21 runs. Litke has collected a team-high 280 putouts and is fielding .991.

Merryman also played a huge role in the success of the Marietta pitching staff this season. The left-hander, who also plays outfield when not pitching, is currently 7-3 with two saves and a 4.02 ERA. Merryman has allowed 40 runs (31 earned) on 81 hits with 18 walks and 55 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings. He has appeared in 16 games, started 11 and thrown two complete games.

A total of 45 student-athletes have been selected to the three teams. All baseball awards are selected by the League coaches at their annual spring meeting held in conjunction with the OAC Tournament.

The National Champion Marietta College baseball team will begin its NCAA Division III Baseball title defense tonight when the Pioneers take on Hope (Mich.) at Mills Field in Strongsville, Ohio. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.

Etta Express fans can listen to the game locally on WMOA-AM 1490 or online at http://pioneers.marietta.edu/onlinebroadcasts.html. In addition, live stats will be available, as long as the phone line is working, at http://pioneers.marietta.edu/livestats/xlive.htm.

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