COLUMBUS, Ohio — Marietta College pitchers limited Capital University to just eight hits as the Etta Express swept an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader on Tuesday (April 14). Marietta posted wins of 9-0 and 7-3.
The Pioneers, winners of five straight, are 17-11 on the season and 8-4 in the OAC. Capital falls to 12-15 overall and 4-8 in league play. Marietta sits in a three-way tie for second in the OAC standings with Ohio Northern and John Carroll. Heidelberg is in first place with a 9-3 mark.
Freshman Ian Luttrell (1-0) tossed a complete-game gem posting Marietta's first shutout of the season. The rookie scattered three hits and faced two batters over the minimum en route to his first career victory. Luttrell walked one and struck out four.
Marietta executed a first and third double steal in the third inning to get on the board. Senior Ryan Hanahan delivered the first of his three runs batted in with a single in the fifth to double the lead, 2-0.
The Etta Express broke the game open with five runs in the sixth inning. Christian Demko smacked a two-run single to left, while Hanahan plated two more with a gap shot double to right center. Marietta added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth inning as Chris Winpigler and Eric White each knocked home a run.
Jacob Sheaf (3-2) started on the mound for the Crusaders and took the loss. He worked 5.1 innings and allowed six runs on nine hits. Sheaf walked four and struck out six. Tyler Spears and Casey Hamrick threw in relief.
Freshman Chris Petrucci went 3-for-4, while Mitch Geers, Hanahan, Winpigler, Demko and Brandon Papp all had two hits for the Pioneers.
In the nightcap, Marietta scored six runs over the final three innings to come from behind and post the 7-3 win. The Pioneers took the early lead when Geers scored on a sac fly from Winpigler in the first.
Pioneer starter Corey Whaley had some control problems in the second inning and the Crusaders took advantage scoring twice. Capital loaded the bases with a single and two walks. They tied the game when Joe Swisher was hit by a pitch scoring Justin Ennis and then grabbed the lead on an RBI ground out.
Brendon Borkey got the start on the mound for Capital and kept the Pioneers off balance through 5.0 innings. He gave up one run on five hits before turning the game over to his brother Joseph Borkey.
Capital added another run in the fifth inning for a 3-1 lead. Marietta cut the deficit in half with one in the seventh. Hanahan singled and stole second base. He came around to score on a base hit from White.
Marietta knocked Joseph Borkey out of the game with three runs in the eight grabbing a 5-3 lead. Doug Bennett and Papp led off with singles. Demko dropped down a sac bunt but all hands were safe loading the bases. Tim McCoy followed with a two-run single to right. Hanahan knocked in Demko with a ground out.
Joseph Borkey (2-1) took the loss allowing four runs on six hits in 2.2 innings of work. Shane Wellman threw the final 1.1 innings giving up two unearned runs in the ninth. Following a pair of Capital errors, Papp delivered a two-run single up the middle.
Christian Herstine (3-3) tossed 3.0 innings of one-hit relief to get the win. Whaley allowed two runs on one hit with two walks in 2.0 innings of work. David Stover worked 4.0 innings of middle relief giving up one run on three hits.
Hanahan finished 3-for-5 with his team-leading 13th double of the season. Bennett, Papp and Demko each had two hits.
Marietta returns home this Saturday (April 18) for the 17th annual Community Day at Schaly Stadium. The Pioneers host No. 23 ranked Ohio Northern University in a key OAC doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.