PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Following an hour rain delay to start the game, the No. 2 ranked Marietta College baseball scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the tenth inning to thwart an upset bid by Salem State University (Mass.). The Pioneers defeated the Vikings 7-6 to improve to 5-1 on the season.
The Pioneers received another strong performance from a freshman member of the pitching staff. Mike Finlan started and threw 8.0 superb innings. He scattered six hits and gave up one run. Finlan walked two and struck out five.
Salem State got on the board first with a run in the top of the third. Marietta answered with two in the bottom half of the inning.
Freshman Tyler Packanik and senior Jordan Grilliot each singled to start the inning. Sacrifice flies from Senior Aaron Hopper and junior Josh Ungerbuehler gave Marietta a 2-1 lead.
The Pioneers added another run in the fourth and two more in the sixth for a 5-1 lead.
In the fourth, senior catcher Alex Toth led off the inning with a double and came around to score on an RBI single from freshman Ryan Hanahan. A Viking error in the sixth gave the Pioneers two unearned runs.
Marietta carried the four run lead into the top of the ninth inning. Sophomore Anthony Knittel took over for Finlan on the mound and surrendered four runs to send the game into extra innings.
Salem State started the ninth with three straight singles to load the bases with no outs. A sacrifice fly cut the lead to three, 5-2. Following a hit batsman and another fly out, senior third baseman Bill Cataldo worked a bases-loaded walk making it 5-3.
Senior right fielder Steve Buitkus to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded and delivered a single up the middle that scored two runs and tied the game, 5-5. On Buitkus' hit moved the go ahead run into scoring position at second base.
Toth put an end to the Viking rally by picking the runner off second base.
Marietta failed to score in the bottom of the ninth sending the game into extra innings.
Sophomore Mike Fulton went to the mound for Marietta in the tenth and quickly retired the first two batters. Junior designated hitter Brett Cahill stepped to the plate and blasted a solo home run over the right field fence giving the Vikings a 6-5 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, sophomore Mitch Geers reached on a one-out double into the right field corner. A wild pitch moved Geers to third.
Salem State changed pitchers and Marietta head coach Brian Brewer put Zach Bukiewicz in to run for Geers. A passed ball allowed Bukiewicz to score making it 6-6.
Toth promptly singled and then Bryan Gregorich followed with a single that moved Toth to third. Freshman Tim McCoy ran for Toth and Salem State was forced to bring the infield in on the grass to cut the winning run down at the plate.
Hanahan delivered a sharply hit ball right at the shortstop that misplayed the ball allowing McCoy to score the winning run.
Fulton (1-0) was credited with the win. He pitched one inning and gave up one run on one hit with a strike out.
Junior Ryan Hyjek started for the Vikings and threw 7.0 innings. He allowed five runs, two earned, on 10 hits. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.
Senior Andrew Guido went 2.1 innings and was charged with one run on two hits. He struck out one. Sophomore Cato Lacroix (0-1) took the loss. He allowed one run on two hits.
Gregorich ended the day 4-for-5, while Toth was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Geer collected two hits in five at bats including a double.
Cahill went 2-for-4 with the home run and Buikus was 2-for-5 with two runs batted in.
Marietta plays Ohio Wesleyan University at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday (March 13). The Battling Bishops are coached by former Pioneer pitching coach Tyler Mott. Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter.