MARIETTA, Ohio - Kyle Lindquist had not started a game since May 21, 2010. In the first inning Lindquist showed some rust giving up two runs, but after that Lindquist was in complete control. Behind the right arm of the senior the Marietta College Pioneers defeated Adrian College 11-4 Friday night at Don Schaly Stadium.
Lindquist picked up his first win of his senior campaign going 8 plus innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits. Lindquist walked only one batter he faced and struck out eight.
"I felt pretty good (about getting the start)," Lindquist said. "I was excited to get the opportunity to start." Lindquist said that he was aware of the number of pitches but his arm was not tired. "My arm was feeling pretty good," Lindquist said. "We have a great defense and they were backing me up."
Marietta trailed until the home half of the third inning. Bryan Gregorich drew a lead-off walk, was sacrificed to second and then scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Tim Saunders. The next batter Aaron Hopper drove in Josh Ungerbeuhler, who had reached on a single.
The third run scored when the Adrian defense tried to cut down Saunders at third base. The ball skipped by the third basemen and into the Marietta College dugout, by rule Saunders was awarded home.
The Pioneers clung to the one-run lead until the fifth inning. Kirby Becker led off the inning with a walk. Three batters later Hopper doubled into left field to plate Becker. Hopper went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs driven in and scored twice. Saunders who had reached by way of a fielder's choice scampered home on a wild pitch, during the next at bat, to extend the Etta Express lead to 5-2.
Marietta busted the game wide open in the 8th inning. After seeing Adrian cut the lead down to two runs in the top half of the inning, the Pioneers responded by putting up a 6-spot. Evan Brockmeier drove in a run. Alex Toth collected two ribbies in the inning and Ungerbeuhler and Saunders each picked up an RBI before the rally stalled.
The top seeded Pioneers' win was their second elimination game triumph in one day. In the opening game of the day Marietta dispatched second seeded Washington & Jefferson College via a 9-5 victory.
The Pioneers now stand one game away from advancing the Championship Round. To reach the Championship Round the Pioneers will have to avenge a Thursday afternoon loss to St. John Fisher College. That game's first pitch is slated for noon on Saturday. The winner of that contest will advance to meet undefeated Manchester.
Since Manchester has not been beaten in the double elimination regional it means they must lose twice to be eliminated. The first game of the Championship will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday. If there needs to be a second game it will be played at 1 p.m. on Sunday.