BALTIMORE, Md. — Junior Nicklaus Brown struck out nine batters as Marietta College upset No. 7 ranked SUNY Cortland by the score of 10-1 Sunday (March 1) morning on the campus of Johns Hopkins University. The Etta Express is off to a perfect 3-0 start, while Red Dragons are 4-5 on the season.

"Nick Brown was exceptional today and the offense got it going a little. It was fun to watch," Marietta head coach Brian Brewer said. "It was a great weekend as a whole. We pitched well all weekend, the offense got better as we went and, although the defense wasn't good, we executed in some key situations."

Cortland managed just one run off of Brown on a solo home run from Wyatt Myers in the bottom of the second inning. Brown (1-0) worked eight innings and allowed just four base hits. He walked one and had the nine strikeouts.

Marietta used the long ball to take control of the game. Alex Page launched a solo shot to right center in the fourth tying the game at a run apiece. Damian Yenzi provided the big blow with a three-run blast in the fifth. Jared Weiss and Drew Wilkinson each singled ahead of Yenzi's homer.

A defensive miscue in centerfield cost the Red Dragons three runs in the sixth. Marietta loaded the bases with two out on three walks to Page, Logan Vietmeier and Seamus Kenneally. Wilkinson lifted a flyball to center that was misplayed allowing all three runners to score giving the Etta Express a 7-1 lead.

Vietmeier got in on the home run fest in the top of the seventh. Drew Holderbach reached on a single to center and advanced to second on a passed ball. Following a fly out, Vietmeier cleared the fence in right center for a 9-1 Pioneer advantage.

Yenzi picked up his fourth RBI of the day with a run-scoring single in the eighth making it 10-1, Marietta.

Yenzi finished 2-for-5 with the home run and four runs batted in. Weiss had two hits, while Vietmeier had the home run, two runs scored and two RBI. Page also had a home run and two runs scored.

Isaac Danford made his season debut on the mound in the ninth inning. He gave up one hit and walked one.

Cortland starter Joe Valentino (0-1) took the loss. He threw five innings and was charged with four earned runs on five hits. He struck out five. David Lyskawa didn't record an out and allowed two unearned runs on a pair of walks. Scott Roberts and Paul Franzese each tossed two innings of relief.

Myers was the lone Red Dragon with two hits in the game. He finished 2-for-3 with the solo home run. James Varian added a double.

Marietta is off until next Sunday (March 8) when the Pioneers open an eight-game Florida trip against Bridgewater State University. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.