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Jeff Jenkins |
TERRE HAUTE, IND. -- Marietta College scored four runs in the ninth inning to defeat Manchester College 10-9 in game nine of the NCAA Division III Mideast Baseball Regional at Rose-Hulman on Friday. With Marietta trailing 9-6 entering the ninth, Jarrod Klausman opened the frame with a single and advanced to second on a single by Justin Steranka. Pinch hitter Justin Merryman doubled home Klausman to make the score 9-7. Josh Beebe then reached base on a fielding error to score Steranka and trim the margin to 9-8. A wild fielder's choice ensued on the next play, as Ryan Belanger grounded to Manchester third baseman George Mallett. He threw late to second base, but Matt Talarico threw out Merryman at home with the potential tying run. With two outs, Dominick Winters tied the game with a bloop single down the left field line, just beyond a diving Mallett. Tony Piconke ended the game with a bases loaded walk to lift Marietta into the regional title game. Tom Doty finished 3-3 with a home run, a double, two runs and two RBIs for the victorious Pioneers. Steranka and Hendricks each added a pair of hits for Marietta. Manchester trailed 4-3 entering the sixth inning, but responded with six runs to take a 9-4 advantage. Zach Scott led the Spartans with three hits and four RBIs, while Zac Bireley finished 3-4 with two runs for the Spartans. Tim Knowlton held Manchester to one run in one inning to earn his first win of the season for Marietta, while Mitch Waters held Marietta to one run in 3 2/3 innings until the ninth inning rally and fell to 7-2. Marietta improved to 38-10 on the season and plays in tomorrow's championship game against an opponent to be determined. Manchester dropped to 35-10 and squares off with the winner of the Otterbein vs. Adrian game that will follow. |
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