Sports
Top-Seeded Pioneers Stunned By Otterbein 7-1
By: Eric Singer
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An hour and a half rain delay not only dampened the field, but also dampened the mood for the No. 1 seed Marietta Pioneers. Marietta College dropped the first game of the OAC Tournament to the Otterbein Cardinals by a score of 7-1.
Otterbein took the lead for good with a four-run sixth inning. After the first two batters reached base, Evan Brockmeier intentionally walked the bases loaded, setting up a force play at any base.
But the plan backfired, as Sean Kettering ripped a double into deep center field, clearing the bases and pushing the Cardinals lead to 4-1. Then a few batters later, Ty Compton lined a hit into right field, scoring a runner from third and increasing their lead to 5-1 over the Pioneers.
Otterbein did not waste time getting on the board in the first inning. After the first two batters reached base, Wes Meadows singled into left field, scoring Tyler Kent to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.
Marietta did not wait long to answer the run scored by Otterbein. In the second inning, Bryan Gregorich doubled to left field, giving the Pioneers runners at second and third with two outs.
Two batters later, Chris Winpigler came across to score on a wild pitch from Otterbein’s Adam Collier, tying the game at one.
Otterbein added two more runs in the ninth, by using a little two-out magic. A hit-by-pitch, single, and a walk loaded the bases for the Cardinals, Wes Meadows lined a single back up the middle, scoring two and increasing their lead to of 7-1.
The Pioneers got an outstanding start from freshman starter Jason Byers, who threw five innings of four-hit, one-run baseball, striking out seven batters, but was given a no-decision.
Senior Evan Brockmeier (4-4) was credited with the loss for Marietta, giving up seven hits and four runs over three innings pitched.
After the rain delay, the Pioneers offense was shut down by Otterbein’s David Cydrus (4-3), only managing three hits in the final 4.2 innings after the delay.
Otterbein was led offensively by the middle of its lineup, as its third and fourth hitters went a combined 5-8 with six RBI.
The Pioneers will play the loser of No. 3 Mount Union and No. 4 John Carroll.. First pitch is set for Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. in Don Schaly Stadium.