“He's the most consistent pitcher we have,” Schaly said after Pampina. “With him, you know exactly what you're going to get."

The right-hander picked up his sixth win of the season (6-0) giving up nine hits while striking out four and walking one in eight and two-thirds innings of work as the Pioneers defeated The College of New Jersey, 5-3, Friday morning at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.

Pampina was able to relax and settle in thanks to his offense, as Marietta collected back-to-back singles off the bats of centerfielder Chris Sidick and designated hitter Todd Yoder.

With Sidick at third, Yoder moved to second on a wild pitch. Catcher Joe Coakley grounded into a fielder's choice which scored Sidick, and Yoder would follow on Brent Curtin's two-out single.

And just like that, Pampina was staked to an early lead, letting the young hurler relax.

“It makes a ton of difference,” Pampina said. “You know that if you make a mistake, your guys are behind you to help you out.”

Sidick finished the game batting 2-for-5 with a pair of runs, while Yoder also collected a pair of hits, scoring, and driving in a run.

The College of New Jersey struggled early on in its first trip to the Championship Series since 1991, when it also faced Marietta.

The Lions squandered early chances and committed an error in the second, which led to Marietta's third run.

In the ninth, The College of New Jersey loaded the bases before Pampina got leadoff man Bryan Flynn to ground into a fielder's choice that scored Jamie Riese, who came on to run for Brian Hickey.

That sent Pampina to the bench with a marvelous line, and brought on closer Terry Lamb.

Lamb gave the Lions another chance when he plunked second baseman Chris Schoonhoven with his first pitch, again loading the bases. But Lamb responded by striking out Bob Capaldo to end the game.

Brad Downs gave up four runs – three earned – on eight hits in six innings for The College of New Jersey, which dropped to 34-13 on the year. Tagged with the loss, Downs' record dropped to 3-2 on the year.

Czaka led The College of New Jersey with three hits, and a run batted in, while Schoonhoven collected a pair of hits and scored in four at-bats.

The Lions will face the loser of the Carthage College -Christopher Newport University contest Saturday at 10 a.m. (CDT), while Marietta will face the winner of that contest in a 4:30 p.m. matchup.

Written By Andrew Wagner
Photos By Lehigh Photo