MARIETTA, Ohio — Johnson & Wales University held on to defeat Marietta College by the score of 8-7 Saturday (March 18) afternoon in the BSN SPORTS Invitational baseball tournament. With the loss, Marietta falls to 10-5 on the season. The Wildcats improve to 5-4 overall.
 
The Pioneers loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs, Dawson Pierce reached base on a dropped third strike. Trent Valentine had a base hit bunt and Cole Yeager walked.
 
Johnson & Wales went to the bullpen and brought in freshman Brett Nickerson to face pinch hitter Ben Kaplin. Nickerson induced a routine flyball to left for the final out securing his second save of the season.


Marietta grabbed the early lead with two runs in the first inning. Brett Carson ripped an RBI single up the middle and Nate Rentas smacked a run-scoring double down the right field line.
 
Both teams scored single runs in the second and third innings giving the Pioneers a 4-2 lead heading into the fourth inning.
 
The Wildcats plated four runs on four hits in the frame to take a 6-4 lead. All the runs came with two outs and the big blow was a two-run double off the bat of Owen Davis. Johnson & Wales added another run in the seventh for a 7-4 lead.
 
Marietta answered with two in the bottom of the seventh to get within a run, 7-6. The Pioneers got runners on second and third with two outs and Carson coming to the plate. Carson grounded to third and the ball was misplayed allowing both runners to score.
 
Davis gave the Wildcats a little cushion with an RBI single in the top of the eighth. Jack Obert walked to lead off the inning. He went to second on a balk and third on a groundout. Davis singled to right scoring Obert.
 
The Pioneers got a leadoff doble from Yeager. Cole Rieman dropped down a base hit bunt moving Yeager to third. Matthew Busby reached on a fielder's choice that scored Yeager. Rieman was put out at second base. Busby stole second putting the tying run in scoring position, but a strikeout and a flyout ended the Marietta rally with the Pioneers trailing 8-7.
 
Kail Hill started on the mound for the Pioneers and worked 3.2 innings. He gave up three runs on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Josh Pedersen (2-2) took the loss allowing three runs on four hits in one third of an inning. Forrest Havanis, Gabe Torres and Yeager all three in relief.
 
Ryan Schultz started for the Wildcats and gave up four runs on four hits in 3.0 innings. Elijah Barber (1-1) got the win pitching 3.2 innings and giving up two unearned runs on two hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Jake McDonough threw 2.0 innings and allowed one run on three hits before Nickerson came in and closed the door retiring the only batter he faced.
 
Rieman had three hits for the Pioneers, while Carson had two.
 
Marietta plays Ohio Wesleyan University on Sunday (March 19) at 3:15 p.m.