Apr. 19 , 2007

Baseball back in swing of things
Ellen Doolittle
dootlitte@marietta.edu

The Etta Express had struggled to sweep an OAC doubleheader this season until Monday when the No. 30 (ABCA/Collegiate Baseball Poll) Pioneers traveled to Ada, Ohio. The OAC match-up against Ohio Northern was postponed twice before the Etta Express finally faced the Polar Bears on the afternoon of April 16.

The Pioneers won the first game of the day 1-0, surviving seven innings with only one hit. In game two the bats were swinging as the Etta Express scored four runs in the seventh to win 4-1 and sweep their first OAC doubleheader of the season. This time Marietta had ten hits, lead by Tony Piconke, Don Pugliese, and Ryan Eschbaugh. Freshman Nate Eschbaugh and sophomore TJ Knowlton were credited with the wins on the mound, each striking out a career-high seven batters. The Pioneers improved their record to17-7 overall, and 5-3 in conference play.

The April showers have caused quite a schedule jumble for teams across Ohio, but the Etta Express is managing to get a few games in between the cold and the rain. On April 12, the Etta Express took on Capital University at Don Schaly Stadium, only to end the day in a split—their third straight in the OAC at the time.

Game one ended in a 7-4 Crusader victory on that frosty Thursday afternoon. Seniors Ryan Belanger and Ryan Eschbaugh, as well as sophomore Don Pugleise, combined for six of Marietta’s eight hits in the loss, and freshman Tyler Penwell was handed the loss on the mound.

The Pioneers bounced back to win the second game of the day 4-3, as sophomore pitcher Justin Merryman earned the win and junior Tom Doty lead the team in hitting 2-of-3.

The Etta Express will head to John Carroll this weekend and then to Muskingum on Wednesday, weather permitting. Listen to the Pioneers live on WMOA-AM 1490 or streaming on the internet while they play on the road. The Etta Express will return home to Don Schaly Stadium on Thursday, April 26 against Ohio Dominican at 7:00 pm.