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| Marietta athletics photo |
MARIETTA, Ohio -- In the 1983 Championship, seven of the first ten games were decided by one run. Unexpected was the offensive explosion by Marietta in the championship game. Series records fell like rain as Marietta regained the Division III baseball title with a 36-8 victory over conference rival Otterbein.
"Everyone said that we didn't have any power and we did not have a chance," said Marietta second baseman Jim Pancher, who rapped out four hits and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Otterbein starter Jeff Henderson ran into trouble in the third inning. Entering with a 2-1 lead, Henderson did not survive the inning allowing two runs without getting an out. Doug Gates came in relief allowing four more runs in the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Marietta exploded for 12 runs chasing the best pitchers on the Cardinal staff (Gates, Kirk McDonald, and Robert Hartman).
Otterbein scored four runs in the fifth off starter Jim Katschke. Katschke was relieved by John Hamborski who closed the door earning his only win of the tournament.
The Pioneers added nine runs in the fifth and the rout was on. Marietta scored eight more runs in the game as the Pioneers celebrated a second championship. Marietta is the third team to win two championships in the short history of the tournament.
Jon Shuler led the Pioneer offense with a 5-6 performance, tying records for hits (5), runs scored (6) and RBI (8). Every starter for Marietta has at least two hits, two runs scored and an RBI. For Otterbein, Dave Whitehead, Jim Hoyle and Mike Goodwin had two hits apiece.
1983 All Tournament Team
MVP: Jim Pancher, Marietta
Catcher - Mike Goodwin, Otterbein
First Base - John Hefner, Marietta
Second Base - Jim Pancher, Marietta
Third Base - Mike Blythe, Otterbein
Shortstop - Greg DiLeo, Montclair State
Outfield - Willie Arrington, N.C. Wesleyan; Jim Hoyle, Otterbein; Mark Talarico, Marietta
Designated Hitter - Steve Riley, Marietta
Pitcher - Kirk McDonald, Otterbein; Jim Kennedy, Marietta.