MARIETTA, Ohio — Strong pitching and timely hitting propelled Marietta College to a sweep of Case Western Reserve University Tuesday (April 28) in nonconference baseball action. The Pioneers took game one, 5-3, and then posted a 3-0 shutout in the second game.

The Etta Express improves to 22-15 on the season, while Case Western drops to 22-14 overall.

Chris Winpigler gave Marietta the early lead in game one with a clutch two-out single to right-center scoring Mitch Geers. Geers reached earlier in the inning on an error by the Spartan shortstop.

Winpigler started a Pioneer rally in the fourth with a lead off double to left-center. Tyler Packanik sacrificed him to third and then Chris Petrucci drove Winpigler home with a single to right field.

Another defensive miscue by Case Western resulted in two more runs in the inning, both unearned. After Austin Harvey singled moving Petrucci to third and error on the first baseman allowed both Harvey and Petrucci to score.

Geers made it 5-0 in favor of the Pioneers with a towering home run over the leftfield wall to lead off the fifth inning.

While the offense was staking him to a five run lead, freshman Ian Luttrell (3-0) was mowing down the Spartan hitters. Luttrell held Case scoreless through the first five innings and would work 7.1 innings for the win. He allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Case Western got on the board with two runs in sixth and added another in the eighth forcing Marietta to turn to the bullpen. Freshman David Stover worked out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth and then sealed the victory in the ninth for his first save of the season. Stover threw 1.2 innings of shutout relief. He gave up four hits and struck out one.

Kevin Kohnstone (4-4) went the distance on the mound for Case Western. He allowed five runs, only two earned, on nine base hits. Johnstone walked one and struck out five.

Winpigler was 2-for-3 with a double, while Ryan Hanahan had a pair of singles and Geers smacked a home run.

In the nightcap four Pioneer pitchers combined to shutout the Spartans. Sophomore Tyler Nieberding (3-3) started and worked the first 6.0 innings. He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out three for the win.

Mitch McNabb threw 1.0 inning followed by freshman Matt Yates for one out. Fellow freshman Corey Whaley tossed the final 1.2 innings for his first career save. Whaley retired five of the six batters he faced issuing one walk.

The Pioneers broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. McCoy led off with a single and then Geers was hit by a pitch. Hanahan sacrificed them up 90 feet and Case intentionally walked Winpigler to load the bases.

Looking for the double play, the Spartans got the ground ball they wanted but their shortstop misplayed it allowing McCoy and Geers to score.

Marietta added an insurance run in the eighth. Christian Demko singled through the left side of the infield scoring Petrucci who singled to start the inning.

Neal Krentz (3-1) started on the mound for Case Western and pitched 4.1 innings in the losing effort. He gave up two runs, one earned, on four hits. Krentz walked four and struck out four.

Connor Tagg threw 1.2 innings of shutout relief before giving way to Lee Penzarella in the seventh. Penzarella worked the final 2.0 innings and allowed one run on two hits.

Demko led the Pioneers going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Marietta wraps up the Ohio Athletic Conference regular season on Saturday (May 2) when Wilmington College visits Don Schaly Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.