Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 In potentially a crucial seeding doubleheader for the John Carroll University looked to for-sure secure its spot in the OAC Tournament. Standing in JCU's way was No. 23 Marietta College.
 
The Blue Streaks took early leads in both games on the Pioneers but could not hold off the Pioneers falling 7-6 and 6-2. JCU threatened in the ninth inning in both games but was unable to finish off the comebacks.

"It was a testament to our character where we compete for nine innings," said head coach Marc Thibeault. "There were some innings in the middle portion of the games where we wish we could have back but cannot. They played hard for all 27 outs and that's good to see. Hopefully that momentum carries in to tomorrow when we play a pretty good team."
 
Marietta improved to 25-11, 13-3 OAC while John Carroll fell to 18-12, 10-6 OAC.
 
Game One
Looking to make a big comeback John Carroll put the tying run on third with one out. The Blue Streaks could not execute falling to the Pioneers in the first game 7-6.
 
Down four entering the ninth, Mark Huddle drew a 1-out walk to start the rally. Jake Schoch and Robby Cifelli roped back-to-back singles to bring up the tying run in Bobby Sabatino.
 
The junior second baseman hit an in-between hop single to left field which was misplayed by Marietta leftfielder Josh Ungerbuehler allowing Sabatino to advance all of the way to third and two runs to cross.
 
With the tying run 90 feet away Chet Lauer grounded out to third and Jimmy Spagna flied out to center to end the game.
 
David Crowley drove in the game's first run slicing a 2-out double over Marietta centerfielder Tim McCoy's head. Tyler Gentile who walked to start the inning came in to score the run.
 
Working out of trouble for most of the day sophomore Aaron Lapaglia received help from his defense.
 
Huddle started a 6-4-3 double play in the bottom of the first inning after Lapaglia allowed a leadoff single.
 
Lauer had a busy day helping his pitchers out. The senior gunned down McCoy trying to steal next inning, Lauer picked off McCoy at first base to end the inning.
 
Lauer was involved in third defensive gem to end the fifth inning. Ungerbuehler laced a 2-out single to left. Looking to extend their lead Marietta's Christian Demko was nailed at the plate off of a strike from Mitchell Herringshaw.
 
The senior catcher came up with a fourth big play in the game nailing Demko trying to steal second in the eighth inning.

"Chet really helped the defense," said Thibeault. "It gives you a lift and some momentum. It really helps keep the pitch counts down. Chet was able to come through with some key defensive plays in the first game."
 
Down 7-1 entering the eighth inning John Carroll was looking for a spark. Enter Schoch.
 
The junior designated hitter blasted a triple to the right field fence to lead off the inning. Schoch would score on Cifelli's RBI groundout to make it a 7-2 game.
 
John Carroll would regroup with two outs with Lauer and Spagna getting out base. The Blue Streaks would cut their deficit to four at 7-3 on Gentile's 2-out double to the left field fence.
 
Demko tripled in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game at one. Marietta would go on to score three runs in the fourth inning to open up a 4-1 lead. The Pioneers added two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.
 
Lapaglia took the loss to fall to 6-3. The sophomore fired six innings allowing six runs on 11 hits.
 
Marietta out-hit John Carroll 13-11. Cifelli led the offense with two hits and two RBIs.
 
Game Two
Looking to rebound the second game featured a strange pitching matchup to start. Marietta sophomore left-hander Jason Byers squared off against John Carroll sophomore left-hander Brandon Maddern with both pitchers sporting a 2.15 ERA coming in to the day.
 
Byers' ERA would not stay at 2.15 for long with Herringshaw greeting the sophomore with a double to left-center on the game's first pitch. The Blue Streaks would get on the board first with Lauer hitting a 2-run homer to right for his fourth home run of the season.

Said Thibeault, "The home run was good. I know he was upset with his last at bat in the first game with the tying run on third. He stayed in it during his first bat. He got a fastball middle-out and drove it the other way. He got the ball up in the jet stream and it gave us a lead so we could keep the momentum up from the end of the first game."
 
John Carroll made more noise in the second inning with Jacob Schriner roping a 1-out double down the right field line and advancing to third on Cifelli's single. However, Herringshaw would ground into a double play to end the threat.
 
JCU had two baserunners in the third with Lauer and Spagna lacing together back-to-back singles. Byers settled in from there setting down the next 15 Blue Streaks in order.
 
The Blue Streaks' middle turned an unorthodox double play to help Maddern out in the second inning. Sabatino had a sharp grounder take a bad hop and hit off of his body. Already covering the bag at second the ball kicked to Huddle who was able to complete the 4-6-3 double play.
 
Marietta parlayed a John Carroll error into two runs in the fourth to tie the game on Clint Roche's sacrifice fly. The Pioneers took the lead an inning later on Mitchell Geers single to right center. Marietta would add a second run in the fifth and hit two homers in the seventh inning.
 
Down to its last ups again John Carroll looked to come back. Spagna and Gentile ripped back-to-back doubles to start the inning to cut Marietta's lead to three. Mark Huddle brought the deficit to two with a 1-out single to left. Schoch, pinch hitting grounded into a double play to end the game.
 
Maddern took the loss to fall to 5-2. He allowed 11 hits over seven innings of work. Lauer paced the offense with three hits and two RBIs.
 
John Carroll continues its 6-game road swing with two 7-inning games at Denison on Sunday, April 27. First pitch is set for noon.