ALLIANCE, Ohio – Marietta College roughed up the University of Mount Union with 41 base hits and 29 runs Wednesday (April 9) afternoon as the Pioneers swept an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader. Marietta downed the Purple Raiders 19-2 and 10-5 to improve to 17-9 overall and 6-2 in the OAC. Mount falls to 12-9 and 1-7 in the OAC.

Marietta collected 26 hits in game one, the most since the Etta Express pounded West Virginia Tech for 32 hits in a 32-0 drubbing on March 25, 2003 at Don Schaly Stadium.

11 Pioneers hit safely in the first game against Mount Union including nine with multiple hits. Shortstop Christian Demko was 5-for-7 with four runs scored, a double and two RBI, while first baseman Mitch Geers was 4-for-7 with three doubles, four runs scored and three RBI.

Catcher Kevin Johnston had three base hits and drove in four. Designated hitter Clint Roche also knocked in four runs and had two base hits. Josh Ungerbuehler, Dylan Gracia, Tim McCoy, Zach Bukiewicz and Tyler Packanik each had two hits for the Pioneers.

Once the Etta Express got rolling there was no stopping the Pioneers. Marietta scored a run in the first inning and then added four in the third and three more in the fourth. After plating single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, the Pioneers exploded for eight in the seventh.

Sophomore Jason Byers (6-0) started and worked 6.0 innings to get the win. Byers allowed two runs on seven hits with one walk and eight strikeouts. Freshman Kordell Antill earned his first career save with 3.0 shutout innings of relief. Antill gave up two hits and struck out four.

Senior Matt Murzynski (3-2) took the loss after giving up eight runs on 11 hits in 3.1 innings of work. Wes Kemp, Brandon Bell and Mike Horning each threw in relief for the Purple Raiders.

Mount Union took and early 1-0 lead in game two with a run in the bottom of the first inning. The lead was short-lived as the Pioneers plated three in the top half of the third inning.

Packanik led off with a single and scored on a triple off the bat of Ungerbuehler. Roche drove in Ungerbuehler with an RBI single and would later score on a single from Buckiewicz giving the Pioneers a 3-1 lead.

Marietta extended the lead to 5-1 with two more runs in the fourth. Eric White singled and scored on a single from Packanik. McCoy, who reach base on a walk, came around to score when Demko grounded into a double play.

The Purple Raiders trimmed the Pioneer lead to two runs, 5-3, with a pair of runs in the fifth.

Sophomore Mike Finlan (1-2) started and pitched 5.0 innings to get his first win of the season. Finlan gave up three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. Freshman Jim Luyster and junior Mike Fulton each allowed one run on two hits in 2.0 innings of relief.

Marietta scored in each of the last three innings, including three runs in the seventh. When the dust settled, the Pioneers finished with a total of 15 base hits in the nitecap.

Sophomore Kyle Toma (1-1) started and was tagged with the loss. Toma worked 4.0 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits. He walked three and struck out three. Four other Purple Raiders toed the rubber in game two.

Ungerbuehler was 4-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored to lead the Etta Express. Geers, freshman Ryan Annett, White and Packanik each recorded a pair of hits in the second game.

Marietta travels to No. 12-ranked Heidelberg University on Saturday (April 12) for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.