GRAND CHUTE, Wis. — No. 1 Marietta College secured its spot in a record 12th NCAA Division III National Championship game with a 5-1 victory over Buena Vista University Sunday (May 29) at Fox Cities Stadium. [Box Score]

The Etta Express (45-3), who have now won 21 straight games, will attempt to win a fifth national title Tuesday (May 31) against a team yet to be determined. However, the bracket calls for the Pioneers to first play Keystone College at 4:30 p.m. Monday (May 30) in the "throw away game."

A Marietta victory over Keystone will force the winner of the Chapman University and Buena Vista game, which takes place at 12 p.m. Monday, to have to knock off the Pioneers twice Tuesday in order to steal away the national title. First pitch would be at 12 p.m. If Keystone were to defeat Marietta, the Pioneers would await one of those three remaining schools and play a winner takes all game at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Once again the headline for the Etta Express was the performance of its nation's best pitching staff. Senior All-American Mark Williams (Fayetteville/Perry), who improved to 8-1, struck out 10 Beavers while scattering one run on seven hits and two walks in seven innings. Sophomore Logan Lewis (Nashport/Tri-Valley), who had not worked since May 7, came in and fanned two more to earn the save after throwing two perfect innings.

Marietta's pitching staff, who sports a 1.62 ERA, has now allowed just five runs (two earned) on 18 hits and struck out 30 in 27 innings at the World Series. The defense also played its second flawless game in three outings.

"Great ballgame. We scored some runs again in the later innings," Head Coach Brian Brewer said. "We applied a lot of pressure. I think Mark (Williams) was absolutely outstanding just like he has been all year."

The aggressive Pioneers were actually out hit 7-6 but Buena Vista (33-17) was hurt by three errors, which led to three unearned runs.

"It's what we preach," Brewer said. "To see these guys go out and execute things ... making the other team pay for mistakes, applying pressure. We've talked about it, talked about it, talked about it. And these guys are doing it. It is fun to watch them play when they do that stuff."

The Etta Express plated its first run of the game on a RBI single through the right side by sophomore Bryan Gregorich (Chardon/Chardon) in the second inning.

Marietta scored three more runs with just one hit in the sixth. Sophomore right fielder Aaron Hopper (Wheelersburg/Wheelersburg) was hit by a pitch to start the inning. He then moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior first baseman Casey Levens (Dayton/Centerville), who had a team-best two hits, and then scored on another wild pitch. Sophomore Braden Park (Oxford/Talawanda) reached on an error and Gregorich a fielder's choice with Park moving to third after another Beaver miscue. Sophomore catcher Alex Toth (Painesville/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) drove in the second run of the frame with a safety squeeze, while sophomore left fielder Jordan Grilliot (Brookville/Northmont) laced a 0-2 pitch up the middle to extend Marietta's advantage to 4-0.

Buena Vista broke the shutout with a two-out, RBI single by Brad Blume but Williams recorded his 10th strikeout to strand two runners in scoring position.

Marietta added an insurance run in the eighth. Levens singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore pinch hitter Evan Brockmeier (Marietta/Marietta). He then tagged up from second after a foul ball fly out down the right field line and scored when the first baseman airmailed the ensuing throw over the third baseman's head.

"We've seen some pretty good arms," Brewer said. "Everyone has two or three good arms here so you are not going to see a lot of large numbers up on the board, especially early in the games. Patience. I don't care when we get them (runs) as long as we get more than the other guys."