Muskingum's Jasper Owens is caught stealing second as Marietta shortstop Jameson Embrescia applies the tag during Wednesday’s game at Pioneer Park. Marietta’s Thomson Babineau looks on. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

MARIETTA — Although it took extra innings here Wednesday at Pioneer Park, Marietta College earned an Ohio Athletic Conference twinbill split with Muskingum University.

It was a pitcher’s duel in the opener as Max Vosters (3-2) fired a two-hit complete game shutout. The righty needed 110 pitches to finish his gem that featured just one base on balls and seven strikeouts in the 4-0 victory.

Tough-luck loser Austin Ziance (4-4) fell behind 1-0 after allowing an unearned run in the first inning. Ziance scattered eight hits, didn’t walk a batter and punched out six during his 111-pitch, eight-inning effort.

MU got the only run it needed in the top of the first when Grant Mellerson reached on an error and crossed on a run-scoring double by Lex Castaneda, who went 3-for-3.

The Muskies tacked on three runs in the ninth off relief pitcher Jared Bees. Mellerson had the big hit with a two-run, opposite-field, ground-rule double.

Marietta College pitcher Austin Ziance is all smiles after fielding a bunt near the third-base line by Muskingum University's Mike Davis and throwing him out to end the fourth inning of Wednesday’s game at Pioneer Park. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Pioneer first baseman Diego DeCello had a pair of singles in four at-bats. Third baseman Cooper Fiehrer drew the two-out free pass in the seventh after shortstop Jameson Embrescia took one for the team, but Vosters struck out catcher Bryce Bogan to escape the threat as the Pioneers never got a runner to third base.

Castaneda started game two and worked six innings of one-run ball with a walk and three strikeouts, but didn’t factor into the decision as Gavin Schultz (1-1) was charged with the mound setback.

MC starter Luke Czarnomski, who fired seven frames of two-hit ball and punched out a dozen while issuing two free passes, left with the game even at one and also picked up a no-decision.

After Reece Rupert worked a scoreless eighth, MC turned to Fiehrer (1-2) and he delivered two scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out a trio to collect the relief win.

“To be honest with you it is a rivalry, but it’s a very respectful rivalry. Jake (Krupar) does a great job and they have a great coaching staff,” admitted MC acting head skipper Bill Mosca, who watched Zack Molloy walk it off with two away in the 10th via an opposite field single through the hole between first and second as leadoff man Bradley Jones raced home from second.

Marietta College's Diego DeCello dives back into first following a pickoff attempt as Muskingum University first baseman Lex Castaneda awaits the throw during Wednesday’s game at Pioneer Park. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

“He really does a great job with his team, but I really like the way our team battles. You could see tonight you wouldn’t know our record is what it is by seeing the enthusiasm in our kids and our team. Our pitching was just great. Everybody was solid today. We’re getting better and we’re very young. We’ve just got to keep progressing, progressing, progressing.”

Marietta College (7-14, 5-3 OAC) struck first in game two during the second inning when Embrescia had a one-out single, stole second and came home on Brogan’s two-out RBI knock.

However, the Muskies (10-15, 2-4) got their lone run off Czarnomski when Mellerson drove in Aiden Reis with a two-out single in the third.

Muskingum left the bases juiced in the ninth after Castaneda, Josh Beavon and Jackson Duchesne all reached via one-out singles. Fiehrer got Tyler Mastro to ground out and then got Conner Thamann on a called third strike.

Jones got the decisive 10th going by coaxing a one-out free pass. After Schultz issued a base on balls to Michael Ciavolella, he was lifted in favor of Jake Rousha. Although he retried DeCello on a flyball, Malloy took his first-pitch offering and walked it off.

Marietta College acting head baseball coach Bill Mosca talks with Muskingum University skipper Jake Krupar. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Suffice it to say coach Mosca was pleased with the Pioneers’ overall effort, despite having to settle for the split.

“We always get it out of Austin. Austin’s done it every game he’s pitched this year, really, except for one,” added Mosca. “Luke really answered the challenge today. We challenged him a little bit the past couple of days and he stepped up. Rupert comes in and does a good job and Cooper Fiehrer, first time he’s thrown in three weeks or a month, and he volunteered to do it because he’s been our third baseman. He comes up and does something for this team.

“Sacrifices other things for the team and now that’s what happens when you have good senior leadership like that. Our hitting coach, coach (Lincoln) Hewett does a good job, but Max threw a great game. The thing is he didn’t put anybody on. He made us hit the ball and they made the plays as well as we did. That was two great baseball games. That’s the way the game should be played. It was enjoyable to watch. It’s more enjoyable getting the split.”

The Pioneers return to action for a noon game on Sunday at Denison University and then will take on Anderson University at 3:30 p.m.

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

Marietta College starting pitcher Luke Czarnomski delivers a pitch against Muskingum. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

GAME 1: Muskingum 4, Marietta 0

WP: Max Vosters (3-2) 9IP, 2H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 7SO

LP: Austin Ziance (4-4) 8IP, 8H, 1R, 0ER, 0BB, 6SO

Marietta College's Jameson Embrescia (18) celebrates with teammate Thomas Babineau (12) after scoring a run. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Jared Bees .2IP, 2H, 3R, 2ER, 1BB, 2SO

Zach Madan .1IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0SO

Muskingum University (10-14, 2-3 OAC) hitting: Grant Mellerson 1-5, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBIs; Lex Castaneda 3-3 RBI; Tyler Mastro 1-4; Jackson Duchesne 1-4; Mike Davis 1-4; Joey Eurez R, SB; Jasper Owens 3-3 R, SB, 2B

Marietta College (6-14, 4-3 OAC) hitting: Diego DeCello 2-4

GAME 2: Marietta 2, Muskingum 1 (10 inn.)

WP: Cooper Fiehrer (1-2) 2IP, 3H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 3SO

Luke Czarnomski (starter) 7IP, 2H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 12SO

Reece Rupert 1IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 1SO

LP: Gavin Schultz (1-1) .1IP, 0H, 1R, 1ER, 2BB, 1SO

Castaneda (starter) 6IP, 5H, 1R, 1ER, 1BB, 3SO

Cody Martin 2IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 2SO

Colten Muhlenkamp 1IP, 0H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 0 SO

Jake Rousha .1IP, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 0BB, 0SO

Muskingum University (10-15, 2-4 OAC) hitting: Aiden Reis R, SB; Mellerson 1-4, 2 SB, RBI; Castaneda 1-4; Josh Beavon 1-4; Duchesne 1-4; Conner Thamann 1-3 SB; Owens 1-3

Marietta College (7-14, 5-3 OAC) hitting: Bradley Jones R Michael Ciavolella 1-3 SB, 2B; Zack Molloy 2-5, game-winning RBI; Jameson Embrescia 1-3 R, SB; Evan Wilson 1-4; Bryce Bogan 2-4, 2B, RBI

Next game: Marietta College at Denison University, noon Sunday; Marietta College vs. Anderson University, 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

Marietta College catcher Bryce Bogan glances into the dugout during Wednesday’s game against Muskingum at Pioneer Park. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

Muskingum University's Max Vosters fired a two-hit complete game shutout with one walk and seven strikeouts in a 4-0 game one win against Marietta College Wednesday at Pioneer Park. (Photo by Jay W. Bennett)