A five-run fifth inning erased a five-run deficit deficit as the Pioneers earned a 9-6 victory over Christopher Newport University, and a date with Eastern Connecticut State University in the NCAA Division III Championship game for the ninth time in the 27-year history of the Tournament.

The Captains had scored twice in each of the first three innings to take a 6-1 lead, before Marietta's bats finally came to life.

"It's just a matter of their experience," CNU head coach John Harvell said. "They've been here many times before, it's like they have a season pass to the tournament.

"Even though they were down by five, they didn't panic, they knew what they had to do."

Marietta centerfielder Chris Sidick singled up the middle to lead off the decisive fifth inning and advanced to third when Todd Yoder doubled to right. A fielding error by CNU pitcher Rob Dye followed by catcher Jay Coakley's sacrifice fly to right field made the score 6-3 with one out and Kevin May doubled to left-center field, driving in Curtin to bring the Pioneers within two before leftfielder Derek Pauley's single scored May.

Pauley scored on second baseman Dusty Childress' RBI single, and that brought an end to Dye's day.

Reliever Jeff Wester got shortstop Nate Brown to ground out and leadoff man Sidick to strike out swinging to end the inning, and leave two men stranded.

The Captains failed to protect their lead late in the game, not registering a hit after the fourth inning.

"We had our chances," Harvell said. "We just couldn't get it done. I'm proud of what we did, regardless today."

Centerfielder Jeff Eicher led CNU with a pair of hits, two scores, and a run batted in. Dye took the loss, giving up 10 hits, all eight runs (four earned) and striking out three. Third baseman Chris Phaup launched his third home run of the tournament to drive in a pair of runs.

For Marietta, Dan May lasted just 1.1 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits before being replaced by winning pitcher Scott Stocker, who improved to 1-1. Stocker allowed just two runs on a pair of hits in 7.2 innings of work with five strikeouts.

May was the Pioneer's big hitter in the game, putting on a four-for-five show with two RBI and a run scored.

The Captains finished their second season under Harvell with a 38-16 record, and a third place finish in the NCAA Tournament.

The Pioneers advance to the Championship game (4:30 p.m. CDT) for the second straight season with a 41-8-1 record. They will face ECSU in the title game for the third time.

Written By Andrew Wagner
Photos By Lehigh Photo

Game #: 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1