Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 For the fans who braved the chilled Sunday air at Schweickert Field, the battle between John Carroll and two-time defending NCAA Division III national champion Marietta College proved quite worthwhile.

Two pitchers duels broke out between the Ohio Athletic Conference combatants. Marietta, ranked #6 in the nation, won game one by a 2-1 score, while the hosts pulled out a 3-2 victory in thrilling fashion in the bottom of the 11th inning.

Both teams collected six hits in the opener, but an unearned run proved to be the difference in the end. The Pioneers scored a single run in the third and fourth inning, surviving a JCU single tally in the sixth for the win.

JCU starter Patrick O'Brien and Marietta freshman went toe-to-toe for the seven inning affair. O'Brien, who began the day without issuing a single bases on balls all season, had his first walk come back to haunt him. Christian Demko drew a lead off walk in the third, and would eventually come around to score on a one-out sacrifice fly by Evan Brockmeier.

An infield error led to Marietta's second run of the game. Josh Ungerbuehler, who reached on an error, came around to score on a two-out single by Bryan Gregorich.

John Carroll cut the lead in half in the sixth when Joe Veltri singled to left to start the inning. Then, after a wild pitch, Veltri would score on an RBI single by Bobby Sabatino.

JCU was unable to get the tying run in the home half of the seventh despite getting a lead off single by Chet Lauer.

O'Brien suffered his first lost of the season despite allowing just two runs (one earned) in six and two-thirds innings.

Marietta looked poised to complete the sweep. After a brilliant effort by John Carroll second game starter Andrew Doring, who did not allow a hit until the sixth inning and produced a one-hitter through the first eight innings, the Pioneers struck together a pair of hits to push across the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning.

The Blue Streaks responded. Jimmy Spagna reached on an error, and than was moved over to third by David Crowley. Lauer then was hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners with one out.

Ryan Konsler came through with a bunt single that scored Spagna, and sent the game into extra innings.

Two scoreless frames by reliever Kevin Rosinski set up a dramatic bottom of the 11th. Crowley led off with a single, then moved to second on a  wild pitch. Lauer then bunted Crowley over to third.

With Rob Cifelli brought in to pinch run, it looked as if Konsler would be asked to bunt again for the second consecutive at bat. But with the Pioneer infield drawn in, Konsler ripped a single up the middle to score Cifelli.

Rosinski picked up the win to move to 2-1 on the year.

John Carroll is now 20-11 overall and 9-5 (3rd) in the OAC, while Marietta is now 21-8 overall and 11-3 (1st) in league play.