Gregorich, Saunders and Becker.
Or how does Brockmeier and Toth sound?
Wait a minute. Grilliot, Hopper, Stanislav, and Moormeier has a nice, phonetic ring to it.
Let's not forget Blaski, Gasser and Mulvey, either.
All of these combination of Pioneer player surnames could easily be "law firms" at Don Schaly Stadium - and their specialty is defense.
You see, Marietta College's defense never rests and makes plays - and that's one of the reasons why the Brian Brewer-coached Pioneers are the top-ranked NCAA Division III baseball team in the land.
Take for instance the fourth inning of MC's Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament opener against John Carroll University at Don Schaly Stadium last Thursday. JCU had baserunners on second and first with two outs, and the Blue Streak batter drilled a shot that looks like it's going to go down the left field line.
But no, diving to his right, Marietta third baseman Bryan Gregorich made the snow-cone stop and was able to tag the base for an inning-ending putout.
"Their third baseman made a great play," said John Carroll skipper Marc Thibeault after Marietta won 8-1, "and the momentum (of the game) kind of shifted in their direction, I think."
Then, there was the play that MC second baseman Kirby Becker and shortstop Tim Saunders almost made in spectacular fashion on a Heidelberg University batter's grounder up the middle in Game 2 of the tournament. Moving fast to his right, Becker was able to field the ball and had the presence of mind to flip it to Saunders.
The idea of course was for Saunders to take the relay and throw to first base for the out. Well, it didn't exactly work out, but it was a good effort - and might work the next time.
Or, how about the play Gregorich made against Heidelberg in the OAC Tournament final last Saturday. With the bases loaded and nobody out in the second inning, the MC third baseman had to charge in hard on a slowly hit ball to get a forceout at the plate.
It was anything but a routine play.
Pioneer righty Mike Mulvey then struck out the next two Heidelberg hitters to get out of the jam.
"I think that's what separates them (Marietta College) from a lot of the other teams out there that you play," said Heidelberg coach Matt Palm. "They're just so good defensively. They make plays, and catch or keep the ball in the infield. That's probably why they're ranked where they are."
The thing is, MC's fielders want the ball to be hit to them, especially Saunders. In the OAC Tournament title tilt against Heidelberg, the senior shortstop got the assist on the final out, which secured the championship.
"I knew it was coming," said Saunders after MC won 4-3. "Kyle (Lindquist, pitcher) does that. He puts the ball in the zone with his off speed and makes guys roll over. And with a right-handed hitter up, I knew it was coming my way. I was ready for it."
Marietta's fielders are always ready for it.
Because they never rest.
Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor and can be reached at 376-5441 or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
