NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Apr. 25, 2023) - North Central College starting pitcher Justin Rios made quick work of the Concordia University Chicago offense in his eight-inning outing on Tuesday night at Zimmerman Stadium as the Cardinals won 5-1 for their ninth consecutive victory.

Rios posted a three-up, three-down top half of the first and second inning of action. In the bottom of the second, Luke Lehnen singled to the right side before Dave Fitzpatrick delivered an RBI double as Lehnen came around to score and give North Central a 1-0 lead.

Following Rios' third straight three-up, three-down frame, Rob Marinec hit a leadoff double to left center field. Following a Cougars error, Jared Wojcik loaded the bases with a bunt single. Marinec scored as Concordia Chicago turned a double play. With Michael Davis on third base, Lehnen hit an inside-the-park home run to bring the Cardinals' lead to four.

After two Cougars singled to open the fourth inning, Rios forced an infield fly and a double play to keep Concordia Chicago scoreless. Rios sat the Cougars down in order in the fifth and sixth inning of play. 

John Michael Scumaci hit his fourth triple of the year and scored on a wild pitch in the next at-bat to extend North Central's lead to 5-0.

Julio Cajiga hit a solo home run for the Cougars in the eighth inning, but that would be the last run scored in the game as Nolan Shannon closed the door in the ninth inning to secure the Cardinals' win, 5-0.

Rios threw eight innings, allowing just three hits and one run as he picked up his first win of the season. Lehnen led all batters with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs. Dom Listi's hit in the first inning of the game extended his on-base streak to 68 games, the third longest in NCAA Division III history.

North Central continues non-conference action on Friday as they host the University of Chicago. The Maroons and Cardinals are set to begin at 6 p.m. inside Zimmerman Stadium.