WAUKESHA, Wis. (Apr. 24, 2023) - Completing the season sweep of Carroll University, the North Central College baseball team won their eighth straight game on Monday night in a 7-1 over the Pioneers at Frame Park.

After a scoreless first two innings from starting pitcher Jason Shanner, the Cardinals' offense struck first in the third inning. Joe Hamilton singled and advanced to second base on a Carroll throwing error. John Michael Scumaci moved Hamilton to third on a sacrifice bunt before Dom Listi drove in Hamilton to put North Central ahead, 1-0.

Justin Rios and Cole Gregorio singled in the top of the fourth inning to put runners on the corners. Luke Lehnen stepped to the plate and delivered another RBI to give the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage.

Carroll used two hits, a walk, and a wild pitch to plate their first up of the game, bringing them within one run, 2-1 after five innings of action.

North Central responded in the sixth as Rios singled before Rob Marinec and Gregorio each drew a walk to load the bases. Following a Pioneers pitching change, Lehnen, Dave Fitzpatrick, and Hamilton hit three RBI singles in a row, making the score 5-1. After another Carroll pitching change, Scumaci drove in Lehnen from third to give the Cardinals a 6-1 lead.

Gavin Gawronski entered the game in the bottom half of the sixth and posted a three-up, three-down frame in the sixth and seventh innings. In the ninth, Trey Roach singled and came around to score on a Fitzpatrick double down the left field line. Gawronski did not allow a hit in the ninth as he closed the game for the Cardinals and secured a 7-1 victory.

North Central improves to 8-5 in CCIW play and 20-9 overall. Shanner moves to 3-0 on the year while Gawronksi picked up his second save of the season. Shanner struck out three while allowing just four hits and one run. Fitzpatrick led all batters with three hits with Hamilton, Rios, and Gregorio tallying two. Lenhen and Fitzpatrick each drove in two runs while Rios scored twice.

The Cardinals return home to Zimmerman Stadium tomorrow as they host Concordia University Chicago at 6 p.m. for a non-conference matchup.

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