May 18, 2013

Marietta reaches regional title game with 6-2 win over Washington and Jefferson

More news about: Marietta

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Marietta College Pioneers stayed alive in the 2013 NCAA Mideast Regional Tournament with a 6-2 win over Washington and Jefferson College Saturday (May 18) afternoon at Art Nehf Field on the campus of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. 

Marietta (32-13 overall) will now face undefeated and top-seed Manchester University in the championships game at 3:30 p.m. Should the Pioneers defeat Manchester the two teams would play a winner take all championship game on Sunday.

Freshman Jason Byers, pitching on short rest, tossed a complete-game gem for Marietta. Byers (8-2) allowed two runs on nine hits. He struck out nine and didn't walk a W&J batter. 

The Pioneers jumped on the Presidents (33-13) in the first inning scoring three runs. Alex Toth and Aaron Hopper each had run-scoring doubles, while Mitch Geers plated a run with a sac fly.

Washington and Jefferson scored a run in the third and another in eighth. Marietta scored two insurance runs in the fifth and another in the ninth. 

In the top of the fifth, Christian Demko scored on a wild pitch and then Winpigler drove in Grilliot with a single through the left side of the infield. Winpigler also picked up the RBI in the ninth inning with a single to left.

Sophomore Jared Baird made his first start of the season on the mound for W&J. Baird (1-1) went 8.1 innings and gave up six runs, just three earned, on seven hits in the losing effort. He walked three and struck out four. 

Winpigler and Toth each went 2-for-5 for the Pioneers. Winpigler had two RBI, while Toth had a double.

Fans can follow the Pioneers' quest for a third straight national championship at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter.