PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida — The Etta Express scored early and often as Marietta College defeated Eastern Connecticut State University, 9-4, Tuesday (March 12) afternoon in the Snowbird Baseball Classic, The Pioneers improve to 3-4 on the season, while the Warriors fall to 0-3 overall.

Eastern Connecticut starting pitcher Nicholas Kraszewski (0-1) had control problems right from the start. He faced just four Pioneer batters walking three and hitting the other with a pitch. Three of Kraszewski's runners came around to score in the inning as Marietta jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

Kraszewski (0-1) was tagged with the loss after failing to get an out. He allowed three runs on no hits with three walks and a hit batsman. Jack Risley worked 3.0 innings and gave up six runs on six hits. Three other Warriors each threw in the game.

Jonathan Pingree picked up the first RBI with a bases loaded walk. Greg Peffley plated Marietta's second run with a sac fly and Trent Castle drive in the third run with a double.

Pingree drove in his second run of the game with an RBI single in the second inning. The Pioneers added three more in the third inning and led 7-1. Drew Holderbach knocked in a run with a fielder's choice and Mike Hale plated one with a sac fly. The other MC run scored on a wild pitch.

While the offense was scoring, freshman pitcher Gino Sabatine (1-0) was keeping the Eastern Connecticut hitters off balance. Sabatine worked 6.0 innings for the win allowing three runs on nine hits. Sabatine walked one and struck out five.

Sophomore Isaac Danford notched his second save of the season with 3.0 innings of relief. Danford gave up one run on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Brady Cottom accounted for the Pioneers' final two runs in the bottom of the fourth with a double down the left field line. Castle and Peffley scored on Cottom's extra base hit.

Castle and Alex Page each had two hits in the game for Marietta. Castle had a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Pingree and Cottom each had two runs batted in, while Hale finished with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.

Marietta concludes play in Florida with a 10:30 a.m. game on Wednesday (March 13) against Kean University. After that, the Etta Express heads to Georgia for three games this weekend at Berry College.