PRO FOOTBALL
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Luke Black didn't start on the defensive line but the Marietta native still got an opportunity to play as the Omaha Nighthawks rallied to defeat the Sacramento Mountain Lions, 24-20, in a United Football League season opener at Raley Field Friday night.
Black, who played his prep football at Parkersburg Catholic and collegiately at Fairmont State, was credited with one solo tackle in his professional football debut in front of a crowd of 8,028.
Black's parents' Gregg and Sheri Black of Marietta were in attendance.
The Nighthawks are scheduled to play at Las Vegas Wednesday.
COLLEGE SOCCER
Former Marietta Tiger Wes Riley had two assists as host Marietta College blanked Heidelberg University, 3-0, in Ohio Athletic Conference men's soccer action Saturday.
Brandon Siringer, Lucas Eick, and Jared Abston each notched a goal for the winning Pioneer booters (4-5, 1-0).
MC keeper Chris Stollar, also an ex-Tiger, was credited with eight saves in the contest.
Stacey Smith had the lone goal of the match with an assist from Rachel Hartong.
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
CEDARVILLE - The Marietta College cross country team competed in the All-Ohio Championship hosted by Cedarville University Saturday. The Pioneer men finished eighth out of 22 Division III teams, while the women placed 18th out of 21 teams.
Caleb Muller set a new school record for an 8-kilometer race finishing in 24 minutes, 49.44 seconds, good for second place. Muller trimmed 16 seconds off his previous personal best time at this distance.
Emily Lorek was MC's top finisher in the women's race. Lorek completed the 5-kilometer race in 20:26.97 to place 75th.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
The second annual Marietta College Fall Softball Tournament was a huge success Saturday. Playing on a beautiful fall afternoon, and in conjunction with Family Weekend, the event drew a large crowd to Marietta Field.
"Saturday turned out to be a very nice day for Pioneer softball," Marietta head coach Jeanne Arbuckle said. "We had beautiful weather, a nice crowd and a respectable showing with three wins."
The Pioneers opened the tournament with a 5-0 shutout over the Presidents of Washing and Jefferson College. Marietta scored five runs on seven hits and played errorless defense.
Sophomore Alexis O'Hair started in the circle and got the win. She went 3.0 innings and allowed two hits and had one strike out. Freshman Lauren Larrick threw the final 3.0 innings and struck out four while giving up two hits.
Seniors Ris McDaniel and Michelle Sayre both went 2-for-3 at the plate. Sayre had a home run.
Marietta defeated NCAA Division II Fairmont State University by the score of 9-3 in the second game. The Pioneers scored in every inning and collected nine base hits in the win.
Freshman Trinity Schlabach picked up the win after throwing 3.0 innings. She allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits. Sophomore Courtney Kerwood tossed 2.0 innings of no-hit relief.
McDaniel again led the offense going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles.
In the final game of the day, Marietta blanked Washington and Jefferson 4-0 its third win of the day. The Pioneers played another errorless game while recording five base hits.
O'Hair notched her second win of the day after pitching 3.0 innings. She gave up four hits. Freshman Kindle Crossley allowed two hits in 4.0 innings of work.
Junior Michelle Kelley and Kerwood each had a double to lead the Pioneer offense.
Fairmont State defeated Washington and Jefferson by the score of 5-0 in the tournament's other game.
