Breaking News
Local Sports

ON TO IOWA: Marietta College routs Oswego St. to reach World Series

By Kerry Patrick 6 min read

MARIETTA -- The gaudy offensive numbers Marietta College put up the past two days at the NCAA Division III Super Region received a splendid assist from the pitching staff.

The combination of the two resulted in a trip to the College World Series -- the first time in 10 years for the Pioneer baseball program when they won back-to-back national titles in 2011 and 2012.

In its first experience at a Super Regional, Marietta College completed the sweep of the best-of-three format from Oswego State by securing a 19-5 victory Sunday at Pioneer Park.

"Great weekend -- I'm super proud of the guys" Marietta College coach Brian Brewer after his Pioneers improved to 43-5. "This is why a lot of kids come here -- for these kind of opportunities. We've had some challenges. Some people may think this is easy, but it is not."

The College World Series pairings will be set on Monday. A field of eight for the double-elimination format embarks for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the start of the tournament on Friday.

"First of all, we are going to take some time to enjoy this -- we don't do that often enough," Brewer continued. "Honestly, we haven't thought a whole lot about Cedar Rapids. We were focused on today and getting the last out."

A six-run third inning followed by five more runs in the fourth inning gave the Pioneers an 11-1 advantage which was never threatened thanks to four serviceable innings from starting pitcher Isaac Danford and another three shutout innings by Gino Sabatine.

Of Marietta's 13 hits, Super Regional Most Valuable Player Brett Carson , along with teammate Trent Castle both hit home runs. Carson, Drew Holderbach and Zach Boyd each drove in four runs.

A total of six Marietta batters accounted for two hits, including Castle with four runs scored and Carson scoring three times.

"For Brett, it's not just about the two days, it's about the whole season -- he has been incredible," Brewer said.

"Brett has done it on the mound, done it defensively, and done it offensively. His parents have thanked me numerous times the past couple of weeks for giving him this opportunity.

"We haven't given Brett Carson anything. He's earned everything he has got. He came here to be a part of this and I'm thrilled he did."

Boyd's two-run double in the third inning came on the heels on huge momentum swing in the home half of the second inning when the Pioneers escaped a potential mess.

With runners on first and second base and two outs, Lakers lead-off hitter Paul Tammaro squared to bunt for a hit. On a ball appeared headed to find the Bermuda Triangle past home plate and short of third base, Danford raced off the mound and dove for the pop fly for the third out.

Before exiting for the start of the fifth inning, Danford allowed just one earned run on four hits. The senior righty walked three and struck out five.

"The scouting report said that guy likes to bunt so I knew when he squared to bunt I would have to be quick to field it," Danford said. "He is a good runner, so I saw the pop up and reacted."

Danford responded the two times coaches came out for a mound visit.

"The message was mostly about slow myself down and trust my stuff," Danford said. "I know my stuff is good enough. They know my stuff is good enough . Sometime I get a little too sped up."

Holderbach's two-run scoring singles occurred in the third and fourth innings.

"The six-run third gave us a lot of momentum and a big boost for the team," Holderbach said. "Those are the moments you want your number called and I was excited to step up in those opportunities."

At one point in the fourth inning, Marietta's shutdown guy and consummate closer Sam Mathews could be seen warming up in the bullpen. However, when Danford's day was done in stepped Sabatine, who ambushed any hopes the Lakers had of a comeback in the middle innings.

Sabatine allowed zero hits and zero runs over three innings of work, walking one and striking out one.

"It was just a matter of having a mindset of being ready to pitch any time when my name is called," Sabatine said. "We had a good lead going in so I went in there just trying to throw strikes and do my best.

"It's not that I didn't expect to pitch that long, but just being ready to pitch what they need me to. This definitely builds some confidence going into next week."

Marietta College , which was assigned the visiting team for Game 2, continued to tack on runs against a combined six Oswego State pitchers. A total of 12 walks for the game did not help matters. Nor did three Laker fielding error and two hit batters.

"Today was a carbon copy of yesterday," Oswego State coach Scott Landers said. "We've been here before and know what it takes. We just didn't execute. Being here is it good for our program. Yes, but we expect to be here and be a World Series caliber team. We just ran into a buzzsaw. Marietta College is the best team we played this year."

Carson's homer occurred with two on base in the fourth inning, while Castle hit a two-run shot out of the park in the sixth inning. Leading 15-1 after seven innings, The Pioneer reserves began playing a part -- which led to a four-spot in the top of the eighth inning.

One bright spot for Oswego State (33-13) was catcher Lukas Olsson, who ended the afternoon 3-for-5 with four RBIs. The senior ripped a bases-loaded double which plated three runs as part of a four -run eighth inning.

Olsson didn't necessarily see anything out of the norm from his pitchers. Marietta College was just that good.

"Marietta College hit every mistake and every non-mistake as well," Olsson said.

Mathews entered from the bullpen in time for the bottom of the ninth inning and allowed a one-out single. Otherwise, the side-winder struck out one Laker and induced a pair of ground outs to secure the Super Regional championship.

"It wasn't just the fielding and the offense -- it was the pitching also," Brewer said. "Some guys weren't real sharp the last two days. Isaac didn't have his great stuff, but he gave up only one earned run in four innings and struck out five guys. Gino did real good.

"We just have an expectation that our guys are going to be perfect all the time. Nothing wrong with that, but I thought we pitched really well."

Starting at /week.