MARIETTA, Ohio — Zach Marzetz and Sam Mathews combined on a three-hit shutout as No. 1 ranked Marietta College blanked Wittenberg University, 5-0, Sunday (March 27) afternoon at Pioneer Park. The Etta Express improves to 15-3 overall, while Wittenberg slips to 8-4 on the season.
 
Marzetz (1-0), a freshman right-hander, gave up a single to the first batter of the game and then allowed a leadoff double in the third inning. After the double, he retired 13 straight Wittenberg hitters. Marzetz worked 6.2 innings and allowed no runs on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts in his first career win.
 
Senior All-American Sam Mathews took over with one runner on and two outs in the top of the seventh inning. He retired seven of the eight batters faced for his fifth save of the spring. Mathews threw 2.1 innings and allowed no runs on one hit with two strikeouts.
 
With Marzetz and Mathews dominating the Wiitenberg offense, Logan Vietmeier gave Marietta the only run it needed with a line drive home run over the leftfield wall to leadoff the second inning.
 
The Pioneers took advantage of a Tiger error in the inning to score another run in the frame. Brett Carson smacked a one-out double down the leftfield line and went to third when Trent Castle grounded out to the shortstop. Alex Richter followed with a sharply hit ground ball to the second baseman who bobbled the ball allowing Richter to reach safely and Carson to score.
 
Wittenberg starter Joe Horoszko (3-1) threw well but took the loss. He worked 6.0 innings and allowed four runs on eight hits with one walk and three strikeouts.
 
Marietta doubled its lead with two more runs in the fifth. Horoszko retired the first two batters of the inning before Damian Yenzi lined a double off the centerfield wall. Zach Boyd singled to right driving in Yenzi. Vietmeier doubled to left moving Boyd over to third base. A wild pitch allowed Boyd to score for a 4-0 Pioneer lead.
 
The Tigers pulled Horoszko to start the seventh inning and replaced him with Charlie Schafer. Turner Hill worked a one-out walk and stole second base. Yenzi flew out to center and then Boyd ripped his second double of the game scoring Hill with Marietta's fifth run of the game.
 
Schafer pitched 1.0 inning and gave up one run on one hit. He walked one and struck out one. Tyler Defibaugh pitched 1.0 inning and allowed no runs on one hit.
 
Boyd led the Pioneer offense with three hits, including two doubles, a run scored and two runs batted in. Vietmeier had the solo home run and a double, while Carson finished 2-for-4 with a double.
 
Marietta travels to Granville on Tuesday (March 29) for a 5 p.m. nonconference game at No. 18 Denison University. The Big Red is coached by former Pioneer Mike Deegan.