MARIETTA, Ohio – Marietta College took advantage of several defensive miscues by Denison University to post an 11-4 non-conference victory Monday (April 29) evening at Don Schaly Stadium. Five Big Red errors resulted in six unearned runs for the Pioneers.
Marietta, ranked No. 8 nationally, improves to 25-8 on the season. Denison, led by former Pioneer assistant coach Mike Deegan, falls to 22-14 overall.
The Etta Express jumped on top with a pair of unearned runs in the first inning. Following an error by the Denison third baseman, designated hitter Chris Winpigler and left fielder Mitch Geers each smacked RBI singles in the inning.
Marietta added another unearned run in the third and then exploded for five runs in the fourth to lead 8-1. Winpigler drove in two more runs with a single up the middle and then Geers plated two with a double to left-center.
The Big Red got on the board with a run in the fourth on a double from second baseman Tim Duxbury. Denison added two more in the sixth when designated hitter Ryan Loehnert blasted a two-run home run to left field.
Another infield error by Denison in the seventh proved costly again. The error extended the inning and brought senior Evan Brockmeier to the plate who delivered a two-out, two-run single.
Freshman Mike Finlan (3-0) started on the mound for the Pioneers and worked 5.2 innings to get the win. Finlan allowed three runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out three.
Sophomore Mike Fulton threw 1.1 innings of shutout relief before turning it over to Brockmeier in the eighth. Brockmeier tossed the final 2.0 innings and gave up one run on three hits.
Denison junior Connor Murphy (3-5) surrendered three unearned runs on four hits in the losing effort. He walked two and had two strikeouts. Three other pitchers toed the rubber for the Big Red in the game.
Geers finished the game 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and three RBI. Winpigler went 2-for-3 and knocked in three runs, while Brockmeier was 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Marietta closes out the Ohio Athletic Conference regular season on Friday (May 3) when Wilmington College comes to town for a 4:00 p.m. doubleheader. 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.