But now, thanks to another impressive pitching performance from freshman right-hander Justin Papania and a clutch two-run double by designated hitter Todd Yoder, the Pioneers have found themselves in the hunt for their first national championship since 1986 by virtue of a 3-1 defeat of The College of New Jersey at Fox Cities Stadium.

The loss helped Marietta College recover from a 4-2 loss to Eastern Connecticut State University earlier in the day.

“We weren't ready to play this morning,” Marietta head coach Don Schaly said. “And for the first half of the second game, we weren't crisp either.”

With his team unable to score, Papania kept the game close by allowing 10 hits but just one run, unearned, while throwing his first complete game of the season. Compared with one walk, Papania struck out six to improve to 7-0 on the season.

“That's the second time in four days that he pitched well,” said TCNJ head coach Rick Dell. Dell's team also lost to Papania and the Pioneers in the Series' opening game Friday.

Marietta played like deer caught in the headlights for six innings, before second baseman Dusty Childress walked to lead off the seventh. A sacrifice bunt moved Childress to second base while centerfielder Chris Sidick's fourth hit in five trips to the plate put runners at the corners with one out before Dell went to his bullpen.

Nick Maddalena came on in relief of TCNJ starter Matt Szustowicz, who finished his day allowing four hits, walking five and striking out six. He left having given up no runs, but was responsible for Sidick and Childress.

Yoder would be the first batter Maddalena faced, and used his curveball to work the count to even, 2-2. On Maddalena's next offering, Yoder belted a curveball away that just hugged the left-field line to clear the bases and give the Pioneers their first lead of the day. Yoder would score on a fielding error when catcher Joe Coakley hit a sacrifice fly to left.

“I was looking just to hit one to right field or deep center,” Yoder said. “[Maddalena] threw me a couple curveballs early, and I got a good read on them. When he came at me with another one, I just sat back on it and got a hold of it.”

TCNJ had plenty of opportunities to extend the lead early, but were unable to capitalize on them as a result of lack of clutch hitting, and the effectiveness of Papania.

“I felt good out there today,” Papania said. “I just wanted to keep things close and give my teammates a chance to stay in this thing.”

Jamie Riese and Colin Renick combined for five hits on the day, but as a team, the Lions stranded 10 runners.

“We had chances,” Dell said. “We just didn't get it done. [Papania] was on his game again today and kept his guys in the ballgame until their bats woke up.”

Marietta will take a 40-8-1 into a Tuesday contest between Christopher Newport University, or a rematch with ECSU.

Written By Andrew Wagner
Photos By Lehigh Photo