An RBI double by Tim Saunders in the bottom of the eighth sent the top-ranked Marietta Pioneers past Denison, 2-1, on Wednesday in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Marietta took a 1-0 lead in the third after Kirby Becker scored on a double down the left field line by Aaron Hopper.

The Big Red had an opportunity to answer in the top of the fourth after senior Tyler Nicholson led the frame off with a triple to right field.  However, Pioneer starter Austin Blaski struck out the next three batters to leave Nicholson stranded at third.

DU tied the game in the eighth when junior Kyle Clemmenson took a pitch from reliever Logan Lewis and sent it over the left field wall for his fourth career home run.  With one out in the bottom of the frame, Saunders roped a double to left center that scored Jordan Grilliot.  Lewis retired the side in order in the ninth to secure his first win of the season.

In addition to Clemmenson and Tyler Nicholson, senior Evan Nicholson and freshman Ryan Mulligan each recored a hit for the Big Red offense.  Hopper paced Marietta with two hits and an RBI.

Senior Tyler Vaske suffered the loss after giving up two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts in eight innings.  Lewis allowed one run on one hit with four Ks in two frames out of the pen, while Blaski scattered three hits and fanned 11 batters in seven innings of work.

Denison falls to 3-6 on the year, while the Pioneers improve to 7-1.  DU returns to the diamond on Thursday when they take on Central (Iowa) at 10:30 a.m.