MARIETTA, Ohio - For the second time in two years the Marietta College Pioneers captured the Ohio Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships.

The Pioneers began defense of their tournament title by defeating John Carroll on Thursday by a count of 8-1. The Etta Express' next battle was against Heidelberg University on Friday morning. Once again the Pioneers impressed onlookers with 15-1 victory. Both starting pitchers for the Pioneers in the first two games, Brain Gasser and Austin Blaski earned all tournament honors.

Saturday (May12), Marietta would have to defeat the same Heidelberg team for a second time in two days to win back-to-back titles. The Pioneers delivered with 4-3 win to give Marietta College its 29th OAC Championship crown and an automatic NCAA regional bid.

The win takes Marietta to 37-6 on the season heading into the Mideast Regional Tournament. The loss drops the Student Princes to 27-17 on the year.

Michael Mulvey (5-0) picked up the win, on the hill, for the Pioneers. Mulvey went six innings, giving up one run on five hits, walking one a striking out eight.  "It was pretty fun, " Mulvey said of pitching in the OAC Championship Game. "This was the first championship game I pitched in and it was a lot of fun getting the win."

"Mike was good for us all day, " Marietta head coach Brian Brewer said. "That's how he is when given the opportunity, he welcomes the challenge."

Mulvey got into a bases loaded nobody out jam in the second inning. But after getting Andrew Zenczak to ground into a fielder's choice, Mulvey struck out the last two batters to end the Heidelberg threat.

Logan Lewis came in and pitched a no-hit inning. Kyle Lindquist did give up two runs on three hits, in the ninth inning, but picked up his sixth save on the year.

Marietta drew first blood in the second inning. Evan Brockmeier led off with a single. After a Josh Ungerbuehler sacrifice moved Brockmeier to second, he quickly stole third. The next batter, Bryan Gregorich knocked in Brockmeier. Gregorich scored on an Alex Toth double to put Marietta up 2-0. Brockmeier and Toth also received All-Tournament honors.

In the third frame Marietta added another run. Dick Fishbaugh OAC Tournament MVP Tim Saunders led off the inning with a single and was advanced by fellow All-Tournament selection Aaron Hopper, and was plated when the ball squirted away from the Heidelberg catcher for a passed ball.

"He (Saunders) is our guy," Brewer said. "We feed off of him. He's an electric guy and one of the best I've seen here."

Heidelberg cut into the lead in the fourth frame. All-Tournament selection Eric Monroe doubled down the left field line. The next batter All-Tournament outfielder Elvin Williams Jr. walked. Monroe scored on a Zenczak fielder's choice.

Marietta pushed the lead back to three runs in the seventh inning with some two out magic. Saunders doubled and was plated when Hopper tripled in the very next at-bat.

The score held at 4-1 until two out in the top of the ninth. Zenczak was hit by a pitch. Joe Staab, the All-Tournament second baseman, drove in Zenczak with a double to left center field. Staab scored to cut the lead to one, on an Alex Grove double. But Marietta would record the final out on a groundout to MVP Saunders to clinch the title.

Starting pitcher in Heidelberg's first contest of Chris Thomas also earned All-Tournament honors along with Ryan Konsler from John Carroll and Connor Mathis from Mount Union.

The complete field for the NCAA tournament will be announced on Monday (May 14) morning with games starting on Wednesday. The Pioneers will host either a six-team or an eight-team double elimination regional tournament. The winner will advance to the National Championship in Appleton, Wisc.

Dick Fishbaugh Tournament MVP: Tim Saunders, Marietta

Pitcher: Chris Thomas, Heidelberg
Pitcher: Brian Gasser, Marietta
Pitcher: Austin Blaski, Marietta
Catcher: Alex Toth, Marietta
First Base: Eric Monroe, Heidelberg
First Base: Evan Brockmeier, Marietta
Second Base: Joe Staab, Heidelberg
Third Base: Steven Kisan, Heidelberg
Shortstop: Tim Saunders, Marietta
Outfield: Ryan Konsler, John Carroll
Outfield: Connor Mathis, Mount Union
Outfield: Elvin Williams, Heidelberg
Outfield: Aaron Hopper, Marietta