MARIETTA, Ohio — A three-run seventh inning propelled the No. 1 Marietta College baseball team to a 4-1 comeback victory over John Carroll University in game one the Ohio Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament Thursday (May 12) at Don Schaly Stadium. [Box Score]

With the win, the top-seeded Etta Express improved to 36-3 and advanced to the winner's bracket game at noon Friday (May 13). The Pioneer will face the winner of second-seeded Heidelberg University and third-seeded University of Mount Union. The fourth-seeded Blue Streaks (18-19) will play the loser in an elimination game at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

Marietta received another huge pitching performance from junior ace Brian Gasser (New Philadelphia/Indian Valley). Gasser (11-0) limited the Blue Streaks to just one run on four hits and struck out eight in the complete game effort. He retired the final 14 hitters en route to picking up his 11th win in 11 starts.

John Carroll plated the first run of the game when Tom Hickey doubled and scored on a RBI ground out from Aaron Miller in the second inning.

While Gasser dominated the John Carroll bats after the second, Marietta's offense didn't get going until the seventh. Sophomore Jordan Grilliot (Brookville/Northmont) ignited a two-out rally with a double to left field. Junior Kirby Becker (South Euclid/St. Ignatius) followed with an infield single. Senior John Snyder (Altoona, Pa./Altoona) then came through with a two-run double to right center. Junior Tim Saunders (Alliance/Alliance) kept the inning alive with the Pioneers' fourth hit in a row. The Pioneers then added another run when sophomore Aaron Hopper (Wheelersburg/Wheelersburg) singled home Snyder to give them a 3-1 advantage.

Marietta scored an insurance run on passed ball in the eighth to give it the 4-1 win.

Every Pioneer starter collected a hit in the game. Sophomore Bryan Gregorich (Chardon/Chardon) led the team with a 3-for-4 performance, while Grilliot, Becker and Snyder all finished 2-for-4 in the victory.

Joe Veltri had two of his team's four hits in the loss, which went to starter Tom Schaberl (4-2) after he allowed three runs on 10 hits in six and two-thirds innings.