Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (Mar. 12, 2024) - Scoring three runs in the first inning, the North Central College baseball team held a lead the entire game despite the Stevens Institute of Technology's best efforts to steal a late-inning comeback. Ultimately, the Cardinals prevailed, winning 10-9 on Tuesday at the Snowbird Baseball Classic.
Following a scoreless first from Gavin Gawronski, John Michael Scumaci drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. After Michael Davis and Trey Roach walked, Scumaci scored on a balk. Dave Fitzpatrick connected on a two-run single to right field as the Cardinals took a 3-0 lead early on.
The Ducks added two runs on a home run in the second and tied the game in the third on two hits to even the score.
Peyton Burgh, Davis, and Roach all reached to begin the third as Lehnen drove in two on a fielder's choice. After stealing third base, Lehnen scored on a Fitzpatrick single, putting the Cardinals on top, 6-3.
Again Stevens responded this time by taking a 7-6 lead in the fourth inning, scoring four runs on five hits and forcing the Cardinals to go to the bullpen and bring in CJ Jensik.
North Central answered in the bottom of the fourth with a Roach RBI single, scoring Scumaci who reached on an error to tie the game at 7-7. The next at-bat, Lehnen delivered a sacrifice fly to plate Burgh and allowed the Cardinals to retake the lead, 8-7.
Jensik kept the Ducks off the board in the next two innings as North Central extended its lead. Roach, Lehnen, and Davis loaded the bases before Jackson Bland used an RBI single to add an insurance run for the Cardinals, taking a 9-7 advantage.
Stevens added a run in the seventh, taking advantage of a North Central error in the field.
Joe Hamilton reached on a hit by pitch before coming around to score on a wild pitch, giving the Cardinals a 10-8 lead. Both teams were held scoreless in the eighth.
Lehnen entered the game looking for his third save of the season. He struck out the first two batters in the ninth, before allowing an unearned run. With the bases loaded and two outs, Lehnen forced a strikeout to secure the 10-9 victory.
Bland led all batters with three hits while Fitzpatrick drove in three runs. Roach, Scumaci and Burgh each scored twice. Jensik earned the win by throwing 4.1 innings, allowing just two runs, one earned, and striking out three. Lehnen picked up his third save and also struck out three.
North Central wraps up the Snowbird Invitational tomorrow by taking on Ohio Wesleyan University at 11 a.m. (ET) in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.
