Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Apr. 23, 2024 - In a game where runs were at a premium, the North Central College baseball team fell 4-2 to Carroll University in the series finale on Tuesday night inside Zimmerman Stadium.

The Pioneers pushed a run across in the top half of the first inning on two hits to plate the game's first run. The Cardinals answered as John Michael Scumaci doubled to left field. He came around to score on a Jackson Bland single as Bland extended his on-base streak to 20 and his hitting streak to 14.

An Austin Palmer two-run shot gave Carroll the lead back, 3-2 in the top of the second inning.

Scumaci followed that long ball up with one of his own in the bottom of the third as a solo home run put North Central back within a run after four innings of play.

In the sixth, Caleb Coberley walked before stealing second base to put himself in scoring position. After moving to third on a wild pitch, the Cardinals could not even the score as Luke Lehnen flew out to center field.

A single followed by two walks and an RBI groundout pushed the Carroll lead to 4-2 in the seventh. The Cardinal offense was held in check the rest of the way as the Pioneers secured the 4-2 victory to split the season series.

Bland recorded three hits and an RBI while Scumaci scored both of the Cardinals' runs on the day. Elijah Hammond threw six innings, allowing three runs and striking out four to take the loss. Anthony Raineri and Lehnen each pitched clean sheets in the eighth and ninth inning for North Central.

The Cardinals stay busy with another game tomorrow, taking on No. 12 Benedictine University. The first pitch is set for 6 p.m. at the Benedictine Baseball Field.

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