The Muskingum baseball team stunned 18th-ranked Marietta in game one on Saturday, 3-2. The Pioneers took the nightcap, 13-3.
In the opener, sophomore Austin Miller fired a complete game six-hitter with two runs (one earned) and four strikeouts to improve to 3-2 on the season. He did not allow the nationally-ranked Pioneers an extra-base hit.
Freshman Brett Marczika drove in the game-winning run with a two-out RBI single in the top of the eighth inning. Senior Zach Siemon scored the final tally after being hit by a pitch and moving to second on freshman Joe Shumar's walk.
The Muskies took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Shumar scored on a passed ball. Shumar got on base to open the inning after being hit by a pitch. He moved to second on a wild pitch and to third on senior Matt Connor's single.
Marietta (14-8, 4-2) tied the contest in the bottom of the second and took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on Chris Winpigler's sacrifice fly.
Muskingum tied the game in the sixth on sophomore Brett Robberts' RBI double to score senior Michael Lynn.
The Muskies ended the outing with three runs on seven hits.
Jim Luyster took the loss after tossing the final two innings and allowing one run on one hit. Jason Byers started the game and tossed seven innings and allowed two runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts.
Ryan Hanahan and Winpigler led Marietta with an RBI each.
In the nightcap, Marietta used a two-run sixth to take a 4-3 lead and added a five-run seventh and four-run eighth to take control.
The Pioneers scored 13 runs on 15 hits, while the Muskies mustered three runs on 12 hits.
Robberts led the Muskies going 3-for-5 with a double and RBI, while Shumar went 2-for-4 with a run and RBI. Sophomore Christian Leitenberger also added a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI and double.
Senior Alex VanDine started the game and went six innings and allowed four runs on six hits with six strikeouts to take the loss. Freshman Bryce Curry tossed 0.2 innings and allowed five runs on five hits.
Mike Fulton pitched the final 3.1 innings and allowed five hits to garner the relief win. Mike Finlin started the game and allowed three runs in 5.2 innings with three strikeouts.
Ryan Hanahan led the Pioneers with five RBIs, while Clint Roche added three RBIs.
Muskingum (7-12, 2-4) hits the field next at Denison on Tuesday, April 8. Game time is slated for 4:00 p.m.
