PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Marietta College split a pair of games in the Snowbird Baseball Classic Friday (March 17) afternoon. The Pioneers made it two in a row against ranked teams beating No. 25 North Central College, 7-2, in the first game and then dropped a 9-2 decision to Adrian College.

The Etta Express is now 5-4 on the season. North Central falls to 1-1 overall, while Adrian improved to 3-3.

Marietta erupted for five runs in the top of the ninth inning breaking a 2-2 tie in the win over North Central. The Pioneers were aided by three Cardinal errors in the inning.

Seamus Kenneally led off with a double down the left field line. Chandler Palyas bunted and reached on an error by the North Central pitcher. With runners at first and second and no outs, Chris Petrucci dropped down a bunt and North Central attempted to retire Kenneally at third but once again, the Cardinal pitcher threw the ball away allowing Kenneally to score.

Eric White followed with a single to right that plated Palyas and Petrucci. The ball got by the Cardinal outfielder allowing White to move into scoring position at second base.

Greg Peffley drove in White with a single and then Barnabei smacked a double that brought Peffley around to score making it 7-2.

Marietta scored two runs in the third. The first run scored on a wild pitch and White drove in the second with an infield ground ball.

North Central finally got to Marietta starter Scott Oberhelman in the sixth inning tying the game, 2-2.

Oberhelman threw 6.0 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts. Kordell Antill (1-0) got the win in relief after working 2.0 scoreless innings of relief. Antill gave up one hit, walked one and struck out three. Davis Stover worked the ninth inning.

Evan Blunk started on the mound for the Cardinals and pitched 6.0 innings. He allowed two runs on five hits with three walks and one strikeout. Nick Rogalski (0-1) took the loss after surrendering four runs, one earned, on two hits. Three other Cardinals threw in relief.

Palyas, Peffley, Kenneally and Michael Barnabei each had two hits in the game for Marietta. Kenneally recorded a pair of doubles, while White finished with three RBI.

Adrian broke open a close game with five runs in the middle three innings. The Bulldogs scored one in the first inning and then added a run in the fourth and fifth frames and three more in the sixth and seventh innings.

Ian Luttrell (1-2) started on the mound for the Pioneers and threw 4.2 innings. He gave up three runs on eight hits, walked three and struck out five. Mitch McNabb was touched up for six runs in 3.1 innings of work and Michael Barnabei tossed the ninth.

Tommy Parsons (2-1) went the distance for the Bulldogs. He gave up two runs on 10 base hits. Parsons struck out five and did not walk a batter.

Marietta got on the board with an unearned run in the third inning. Kenneally reached second base safely when the Adrian left fielder dropped his fly ball. Geoff Snyder moved Kenneally to third with a bunt single and then Palyas picked up the RBI with a ground ball to the shortstop.

The Pioneers loaded the bases in the ninth innings when Connor Golden, Zack ward and Kenneally each singled. Palyas followed with a single through the right side of the infield for his second RBI of the game.

Palyas, White and Golden each had two hits in the game for the Etta Express.

Marietta wraps up its spring trip on Saturday (March 18) when the Etta Express plays Amherst College at 10:00 a.m.