Eddie Harper collects 100th career hit in DH split at #15-ranked Marietta

Senior Eddie Harper posted a milestone as he collected his 100th career hit in game two of the doubleheader split at rival and NCAA Division III #15 Marietta on Wednesday afternoon. The Muskingum baseball team won a thrilling 2-1 opener but fell 9-2 in the nightcap.

The Basics 

• Records: Muskingum (12-16 overall, 5-7 Ohio Athletic Conference), Marietta (19-7 overall, 8-2 Ohio Athletic Conference)
• Location: Marietta, Ohio – Don Schaly Stadium

Inside the Numbers - Game One

• Muskingum scored two runs on six hits and committed two errors.
• Junior Ben Van Wey led the Muskies by going 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
• Junior Marc Ibarra and freshman Ryan Hernandez and freshman Luke Currie each tallied a hit. Ibarra also collected an RBI, while Hernandez scored a run.
• Van Wey scored in the top of the first inning off Ibarra's single through the right side. Van Wey reached first on a throwing error by the third baseman to start the inning.
• Hernandez scored the final run in the top of the fourth off Van Wey's single to third base. As the second hitter to start the fourth, Hernandez singled to right field to be the first Muskie to get on base in the inning.  
• Freshman Nolan Fernandes grabbed the win as he saw action in 7.1 innings, allowed one run on five hits, and registered four strikeouts.
• Senior Levi Boyer pitched the final 1.2 innings to notch his second save of the season.
• Marietta scored one run on five hits and committed one error.
• Geoff Snyder led the Pioneers with a run scored and a hit.
• David Stover pitched a complete game and took the loss after allowing two runs on six hits, one walk, and accrued six strikeouts.

Inside the Numbers - Game Two

• Muskingum scored two runs on three hits and had three errors.
• Senior Eddie Harper accumulated his 100th career hit and added an RBI.
• Senior Brad Donathan finished the contest with one hit, a solo dinger, an RBI, and a run scored.
• Freshman Matt Stewart had one hit, which was a triple, and a run scored.
• Sophomore Josh Bigrigg started the game and pitched two innings after allowing seven runs on seven hits.
• Stewart scored the first run in the top of the sixth off Harper's sacrifice fly to center field. Stewart was the first Muskies to reach base in the inning as he blasted a triple to right center.
• Donathan was the second batter to start the seventh inning when he pounded his third homer of the season to give Muskingum the final run scored.
• Marietta scored nine runs on 11 hits.
• Chris Petrucci went 3-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs for Marietta.
• Brady Cottom also collected three RBIs.
• Scott Oberhelman registered the win after pitching in seven innings and allowing two runs on three hits.

Game Highlights

In the opener, Van Wey reached first base off a throwing error by the third baseman in the top of the first to get the Muskies started. Harper was the second player at-bat and hit a sacrifice bunt, allowing Van Wey to get on second base. The next play, Ibarra singled through the right side, giving Van Wey the opportunity to score the first crucial run of the game and to take an early 1-0 advantage. In the top of the fourth, Currie was on first, and Hernandez was at third with two outs in the inning, Van Wey hit the single to third base, allowing Hernandez to score the run, making it a 2-0 contest. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Marietta scored its only run on a wild pitch. The Pioneers started the ninth inning with two quick outs, but a hit-by-pitch, a walk, a wild pitch sending the players to second and third base, and an intentional walk got Marietta in scoring position. The Muskies defense pulled through as the Pioneers pinch-hitter grounded out to shortstop to end the inning and give Muskingum the thrilling 2-1 win in game one.

In game two, Marietta got off to a fast start as they spurted four runs in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. The Pioneers gathered two runs in the second and one in the third to increase their advantage, 7-0. Muskingum got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth with a sacrifice fly by Harper, which brought in Stewart for the run. Marietta scored another run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 8-1. A solo home run by Donathan in the top of the seventh completed the Muskies scoring. Marietta scored its final run in the bottom of the eighth to take game two.  

Up Next

• Muskingum hosts NCAA DIII #5 Wooster at the Mose Morehead Field for a single game on Thursday, April 19. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.