MARIETTA, Ohio — Junior Austin Blaski (Pandora/Gilboa) threw eight strong innings, and #8 Marietta College scored a pair of unearned runs to defeat visiting Thiel College 2-0 Sunday (March 20) in the final game of the Southeast Ohio Invitational at Don Schaly Stadium. [Box Score]

The victory extended the Pioneers' win streak to nine straight and improved their record to 13-1. The Tomcats fell to 7-4.

Blaski moved his record to 2-1 after he allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out six. Junior closer Kyle Lindquist (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) pitched a perfect ninth to record his sixth save of the season.

Sophomore Evan Brockmeier (Marietta/Marietta) reached on a fielding error and then scored from first base on a double by sophomore Jordan Grilliot (Brookville/Northmont) to give Marietta a 1-0 lead in the second.

The Pioneers extended their lead to 2-0 in the seventh. Sophomore Aaron Hopper (Wheelersburg/Wheelersburg) began the frame with a walk and advanced to second on a balk. Sophomore Alex Toth (Painesville/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) then reached on a sacrifice bunt when the ball was thrown away at first base, allowing Hopper to cross the plate on the play.

Five different Marietta players collected a hit, while Weston Snyder and Bobby Hillier both had two hits for Thiel.

Brad Bates suffered the loss. He gave up two unearned runs on four hits, walked three and struck out two in seven innings.

Marietta returns to action at 6 p.m. Wednesday (March 23) when it visits Denison University for a single, non-conference game. The Pioneers and Big Red will also battle in the junior varsity game at 3 p.m.