MARIETTA - Brian Gasser was almost unhittable.
The 6-foot-3 junior righthander tossed seven innings of two-hit ball as Marietta College defeated visiting Montclair State University, 11-2, in a non-conference baseball game at Don Schaly Stadium Sunday.
"I had a good day today, and I was feeling good," said Gasser, who had a no-hitter going through the first six innings of the contest. "I tried not to think about it (no-hitter) too much, but obviously I knew. You just try to throw strikes."
Gasser (5-0) struck out eight and walked two before being lifted in the eighth frame. Relievers' Mark Williams and Kyle Lindquist each threw a hitless and scoreless inning.
"I thought Brian (Gasser) was great, Mark was electric, and Kyle came out and threw strikes early, which he hadn't done in his last couple of outings," said Pioneers' skipper Brian Brewer. "It was really a well-pitched game and a very positive day."
"He (Gasser) commanded both sides of the plate with all three of his pitches, which is going to make it tough on anybody."
Offensively, Marietta, No. 5-ranked with a 14-2 overall record, roughed up two Redhawks hurlers for 16 hits. Everyone in the Pioneer batting order had at least one hit.
The Etta Express also played errorless ball.
"I think this was one of the better games we played this year - in all phases," Brewer said. "We've pitched pretty well at times. We've caught the ball pretty well at times, and we've showed some signs offensively. But as far as all phases, this was probably are best performance to date. The important thing is that we're even better tomorrow because of it."
Tim Saunders had four singles and four stolen bases to lead the Marietta hit parade. John Snyder added three hits, including a double, and drove in four runs. Kirby Becker and Jordan Grilliot each had two base-knocks. Grilliot also scored four runs.
"I'm not a big reader, but one book that's helping me now is 'The Mental Keys of Hitting,'" Saunders said. "It's all about relaxing and seeing the ball. And, that book is really helpful for any hitter."
Norm Schoenig-coached Montclair State fell to 6-5 on the season.
Saunders beat out a swinging bunt to third base to lead off the bottom half of the first inning for the Pioneers. The junior shortstop then proceeded to steal both second and third but was stranded when Redhawks southpaw Sean Hille fanned the next three MC batters.
