MOUNT BERRY, Georgia — Adrian College jumped on the Etta Express early and went on to defeat Marietta College, 8-4, Sunday afternoon on the campus of Berry College. The Pioneers slipped to 4-7 on the season, while Adrian improves to 7-1 overall.

The Bulldogs scored in each of the first five innings building an 8-0 lead and then held on for the victory. Adrian got key two-out base hits in both the first and second innings. Dugan Darnell delivered the two-out hit in the first, a two-run double, and Zack Zschering smacked an RBI single in the second with two out making it 3-0.

John Stover (1-1) started on the mound for the Pioneers and was tagged with the loss. He worked three innings and gave up five runs on five hits. Stover walked three and struck out two. Mitchell Louis took over and allowed three runs on two hits in two innings of work. Louis walked a pair and struck out three.

Gino Sabatine and Jared Strickler shut down the Bulldog offense over the final three innings. Sabatine threw one inning and retired all three batters he faced. Strickler worked the last two innings and also faced the minimum.

Maxwell Denny (3-0) started and worked five strong innings for Adrian. He scattered six hits, walked two and struck out five, while not allowing any runs. Three other Bulldogs toed the rubber over the final four innings.

Marietta got on the board with three unearned runs in the top of the sixth inning. Zach ward reached on a two-out single. Drew Wilkinson followed and struck out, but the third strike got away from the Bulldog catcher allowing Wilkinson to reach safely.

Damian Yenzi followed with a triple to the wall in right center scoring both Ward and Wilkinson. A wild pitch allowed yenzi to score the Pioneers’ third run of the frame cutting the Adrian lead to 8-3.

Marietta loaded the bases with one out in the seventh when Logan Vietmeier walked and Trent Castle and Seamus Kenneally both singled. Brady Cottom plated Vietmeier with a sac fly to right field for Marietta’s final run of the afternoon.

Yenzi finished 2-for-5 with a triple, two runs batted in and a run scored. Cottom and Wilkinson each had a pair of singles.

Marietta returns home to host La Roche College for a nonconference doubleheader on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Don Schaly Stadium.