MARIETTA, Ohio — Cooper Fiehrer lined a two-run, walk-off single to left-center as Marietta College scored six runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Ohio Northern, 12-11, and complete the sweep of an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader Friday (Mar. 29) afternoon. The Pioneers won game one, 7-4, improving to 10-11 on the season and 2-2 in the OAC. Ohio Northern falls to 9-12 on the season and 0-4 in the OAC.
 
Fiehrer's game winning hit capped a crazy ninth inning as Ohio Northern erased a 6-3 deficit with nine runs in the top of the ninth inning only to see the Etta Express plate five runs in the bottom of the inning.
 
The Polar Bear rally in the ninth was highlighted by a pair of home runs from Chase Armstrong. Armstrong started the inning with a solo shot over the wall in right field. Later in the frame, he launched a grand slam to right. Ohio Northern was aided by a Pioneer error on a routine ground ball that could have been a double play.
 
Trailing 11-6 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Nick Bonnizzio was hit by the first pitch of the inning. Alex Richter followed with a two-run homer to right. Austin Amburgey doubled and then singles from Trent Valentine and Ben Kaplin loaded the bases.
 
Ohio Northern went to the bullpen and brought in Trenton Fulkerson. He walked Giego DeCello on five pitches plating the third run of the inning. Another pitching change brought Kyle Callahan to the mound who beaned Cael Magill scoring Valentine to make it 11-10. Fiehrer stepped to the plate and worked the count full. He lined the 3-2 pitch into the gap in left-center scoring the tying and winning runs.
 
Bonnizzio went 3-for-4 with four runs scored. Richter, Amburgey, Valentine and DeCello each had two hits in the game.
 
Sam Johnson (1-0) got the win. He worked 0.2 innings and allowed three runs on two hits. Kail Hill started and threw 4.2 innings allowing one run on one hit with three strikeouts before leaving the game in the fifth inning with an injury. Altogether, seven Pioneers toed the rubber in the game.
 
Fulkerson (0-1) was tagged with the loss. He worked 0.0 innings and gave up one run on no hits with one walk. Noah Truax started for the Polar Bears and allowed four runs on six hits in 5.0 innings. Ohio Northern used six pitchers in the game.
 
In the first game of the day, Marietta scored five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to come from behind and beat the Polar Bears 7-4. The Pioneers took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when Bonnizzio led off with a single and scored on a double from Richter. Richter later scored on a sac fly from Kaplin.
 
Ohio Northern got on the board in the third inning on an RBI single from Logan Stevens. The Polar Bears took the lead with three unearned runs in the seventh. The first batter of the inning reached on a dropped fly ball. Later in the frame, Armstrong drove in a run with a single and Evan Russ plated two with a double.
 
Richter led off the bottom of the seventh with a double to right-center. Amburgey singled to left moving Richter to third. Both runners advanced another base on an error by the ONU left fielder when he misplayed Amburgey's single.
 
Kapli dropped down a sac bunt but all runners were safe when the pitcher booted the ball. Amburgey scored on a sac fly from Jeremy Tonelli. A DeCello double and Cole Rieman hot by pitch loaded the bases. Fiehrer delivered a two-run single through the left side of the infield scoring Kaplin and Decello. Cole Yeager followed with a sac fly scoring Rieman with the final run of the rally.
 
Valentine started on the mound and threw 5.0 innings giving up one run on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Forrest Havanis (2-2) got the win working 2.0 innings and allowing three unearned runs on three hits. Gabe Torres got the save pitching the final 2.0 innings. He allowed no runs on one hit and struck out two.
 
Jack Hutchins started for ONU and threw 6.0 innings allowing two runs on seven hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. Blake Peterson (1-2) took the loss giving up five runs, three earned, on four hits in 0.2 innings.
 
Fiehrer led the Pioneers with three hits and two RBI. Bonnizzio, Richter, Amburgey, and DeCello each had two hits in the game.
 
Marietta hosts No. 2 ranked Baldwin Wallace University for an OAC doubleheader on Saturday (Apr. 6). First pitch at Pioneer Park is set for 1:00 p.m.