MARIETTA, Ohio — Etta Express pitcher David Stover made the most of a rare starting opportunity Monday (Mar. 26) evening as the senior dominated No. 9 ranked Frostburg State University in Marietta's 10-1 victory.

The Pioneers, ranked 21st nationally, improve to 12-4 on the season and are now 4-1 against nationally ranked opponents this season. Frostburg State is also 12-4 overall.

Stover, the Pioneers' closer since his sophomore season, made just his second career start and tossed 7.0 strong innings. He scattered six hits, all singles, and allowed just one unearned run. Stover did not walk a batter and struck out five Bobcat hitters.

While Stover was keeping the Bobcat offense in check, the Marietta offense scored two runs in the second and three more in the third to take control of the game.

Michael Barnabei drove in MC's first two runs with a two-out single to left field. Connor Golden reached on a one-out single and moved to second when Damian Yenzi walked. A wild pitch moved both runners up 90 feet. Following a fly out to shallow right field, Barnabei delivered the big hit.

Marietta added three unearned runs in the third when an error and several walks proved costly for Bobcat starter Greg Schneider.

With one out, Chris Petrucci grounded to the FSU shortstop. But the throw was high at first base allowing Petrucci to reach on the error. Petrucci stole second and then went to third on a wild pitch.

Schneider almost got out of the inning unscathed when he struck out the next Pioneer batter. But eight straight pitches out of the strike zone resulted in walks for Mike Hale and Golden and loaded the bases.

Yenzi was MC's next hitter and he earned his second straight free pass driving in Petrucci. Brady Cottom followed with a single through the left side of the infield plating Hale and Golden for a 5-0 Pioneer lead.

Frostburg State got on the board in the fifth inning when an outfield error allowed the Bobcats to score their only run of the game.

Marietta added one in the seventh and four more in the eighth to put the game out of reach. Shane Fetsko had an RBI double in the eighth, while Golden knocked in two runs with a single.

Schneider (4-1) took the loss. He pitched 4.1 innings and was charged with five runs, two earned, on five hits. Schneider walked six and struck out six. Trenton Eirich threw 2.2 innings and allowed one run on three hits. Chase Delost pitched the eighth inning and gave up four runs on three hits.

Scott Oberhelman threw the final 2.0 innings for the Pioneers. He retired six of the seven batters he faced including a pair of strikeouts.

Fetsko, Golden and Barnabei each had two hits in the game for Marietta. Golden, Barnabei and Cottom drove in two runs apiece.

Marietta travels to Tiffin on Friday (Mar. 30) for an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader at Heidelberg University. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.