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Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Box Score

Apr. 27, 2014 – Winners of eight of the last nine contests, the North Central College baseball team began a streak of three consecutive non-conference games Sunday afternoon, downing the University of Chicago, 4-1 at Zimmerman Stadium.
 
The Cardinals (22-11) jumped on the Maroons (9-22) early as Jake Rone and Joe Paparone each singled with one out in the first inning to get the rally started.  After Rone advanced to third on a fielder's choice, Sam Klein stole second and forced an overthrow by the Chicago catcher, allowing Rone to trot home to give North Central a 1-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, John Ciolkosz added to the Cardinal lead, launching his third homerun of the season over the right field fence, a two-run shot scoring Vito DeRango who led off the inning with a double to left field.
 
The Cardinals were not done in the fourth as Richard Concialdi singled to right center before Sam Carius pulled a single through the left side to put runners on first and second.  Rone followed with a two out, RBI single to right field, increasing the Cardinal lead 4-0.
 
The North Central pitching staff took a shutout into the eighth innings, but the Maroons rallied to a run in the top of the eighth and had the bases loaded with just one out.  Drew Sutton entered in relief, forcing a flyout and a groundout to get out of the inning while also tossing the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
 
Starter Connor Brown earned his first victory of the season on the mound, going five strong innings while allowing five hits and striking out a pair.
 
Carius finished the afternoon 3 for 5 from the dish, while Rone was 2 for 3 with a sacrifice bunt, RBI and run scored. 
 
North Central hosts Dominican University, Tuesday, Apr. 29 at 3 pm.  Links to live audio and statistics are available HERE.