Zachary Worstell
zdw001@marietta.edu
The legendary Etta Express got rolling this season during the annual Snowbird Classic in Florida. In Florida, #24 Marietta College outscored their opponents by 25 runs. This momentum was much needed after a slow start to the season.
Last season, the Express looked strong finishing 37-13 and making their way to the NCAA Division III Super Regional. However, their season ended in disappointing fashion being swept by Misericordia University.
The 2024 season started off the wrong way with Marietta starting 1-4 before the Snowbird Classic in March. Those four losses all came to ranked teams. The Snowbird Classic gave Marietta the opportunity to bounce back as they won their first two games. The first game on March 4th saw Marietta inch out a 7-6 victory in the ninth inning over Wabash College. The following day Marietta’s pitching shined as the only runs scored came from two errors in the second. The Pioneer’s hitting was consistent all day and led them to an 8-3 victory over Saint John’s University
The next two games gave the Express an opportunity to get revenge against #13 Misericordia University. The first game did not go Marietta’s way as Misericordia pitcher Connor Maryniak pitched a complete game and led the Cougars to a 2-1 victory. However, Marietta’s pitching was strong too only giving up four hits in the game. The Express would come back for the next game this time winning 2-1. While the Cougars scored first off of a wild pitch, Marietta came back with a RBI from Cooper Fiehrer in the fifth and from Ben Kaplin in the sixth.
The challenges from the Snowbird Classic did not allay as they faced #23 Webster University. Marietta took the lead early off a sacrifice fly however the Gorlok’s had a strong run of innings having a 4-2 advantage in the 7th. However, in the bottom of the 7th Fiehrer hit a three run home run to keep the Pios alive! Unfortunately, Webster came back with a solo home run in the 8th and a 3 run double in the 9th. Down 8-5 Marietta needed help. Fortunately, pinch hitter Jeremy Tonelli hit a two run double then advanced to third off a wild pitch leading Cole Rieman to tie the game 8-8. This hard-fought game ended in extra innings where Marietta could not hold on as Webster scored off a sac-fly.
Marietta faced another tough defensive matchup against North Central College as both teams could not find a offensive rhythm. In the end, North Central edged out a 1-0 victory.
The next matchup was the finale of the Snowbird Classic for the Pioneers as they faced off against Kean University. The matchup was over quickly as Marietta found their rhythm quickly. The Pios scored 5 in the first two of them off wild pitches. Kean starter Jason Gilman was pulled in favor of Nick Nemes for the second inning. Although the second inning did not favor Nemes well as Marietta added 9 runs off of 10 hits to their total. Marietta did not slow down as they added four more runs in the fourth, two in the fifth, nine in the sixth, and finished off with five in the seventh. Kean attempted a comeback as they scored 9 runs themselves in that period and finished themselves off with three more in the ninth. Although their comeback was not enough as Marietta mounted an impressive 34-12 victory to end their Florida trip.
Marietta finished their trip improving to a 5-7 record. On Thursday March 14th, the Etta Express held their first home game of the season against Johnson & Wales University whom they shut out 11-0. This weekend Marietta hosts Eastern Connecticut on Saturday and Wittenberg University on Sunday before they face their OAC rivals later in the month.
