MARIETTA, Ohio — The Etta Express rolled to a doubleheader sweep of Wilmington College on Community Day Sunday (April 23) afternoon at Don Schaly Stadium. Marietta took game one, 9-4, and blew by the Quakers, 13-1, in the second game.

Marietta improves to 16-12 overall and is in sole possession of second place in the Ohio Athletic Conference standings with an 11-3 league record. Wilmington falls to 7-26 on the season and 2-12 in the OAC.

Despite several postponements of the Community Day festivities, the 19th annual event drew a large contingent of Pioneer fans to Schaly Stadium. The Marietta faithful enjoyed free admission to the park, free hotdogs and Pepsi products, a commemorative t-shirt and lots of games and activities for everyone.

The Pioneers jumped on top with three runs in the bottom of the second inning in game one. Connor Golden walked and quickly stole second base. Michael Barnabei singled moving Golden to third. MC then executed a double steal and Golden slide home safely with the first run of the game.

Designated hitter Joe Gardner plated Barnabei with a single to left center. Seamus Kenneally dropped down a sac bunt moving Gardner into scoring position. Following a fly out, Greg Peffley doubled down the right field line driving in Gardner for a 3-0 Pioneer lead.

Wilmington cut the lead to one with a pair of runs in the fourth only to see MC score three times in the bottom of the frame for a 6-2 lead.

Kenneally delivered an RBI single and Chris Petrucci had a run-scoring double. Marietta's third run of the inning scored when Eric White grounded out to the first baseman.

The Quakers kept the game close with two runs in the sixth. Kyle Short lined a two-run single to left making it 6-4 in favor of the Pioneers.

Marietta extended its lead with a run in the seventh and two more in the eighth. Gardner had a sac fly to score Shane Fetsko in the seventh and Zack ward smacked an RBI single in the eighth.

Scott Oberhelman (4-1) started on the mound for Marietta and pitched 7.0 strong innings to get the win. He gave up four runs on six hits and struck out four. David Stover earned his fourth save of the season with 2.0 innings of shutout relief.

Jared Ferenchak (2-5) started and took the loss for Wilmington. He allowed six runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings of work. Joey Hollback worked 5.0 innings and gave up three unearned runs on six hits.

Petrucci and Barnabei each had three hits for the Pioneers. Gardner finished 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Marietta scored nine runs in the first three innings of game two and never looked back. The Pioneers chased Wilmington starting pitcher, Matt Oney, after just one-third of an inning.

Oney (3-5) pitched 0.1 innings and gave up four runs on four hits with one walk. Lance Fleischman worked 1.2 innings and allowed four runs on three hits. Bryant McCarty tossed the final 6.0 innings and was charged with five runs on 11 base hits.

Ian Luttrell (2-3) scattered five singles over 7.0 innings and allowed just one unearned run. Luttrell walked three and struck out five for the win. Mitch McNabb and Jacob baker each threw 1.0 innings of relief.

White, Golden and Kenneally each had three hits in the game for Marietta. Kenneally had a pair of doubles and scored twice, while Golden drove in three runs. Peffley, Fetsko and Barnabei had two hits apiece.

Marietta travels to Pittsburgh for a non-conference doubleheader at No. 17 La Roche College on Monday (April 24) at 1:00 p.m.