Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

Apr. 30, 2025 – In a game that saw its first hit come in the fifth inning, the North Central College baseball team came out on the wrong side of a 4-0 game, losing to league-leading Carthage College on Wednesday evening inside Zimmerman Stadium.

Chris Rogers and Ryan Scanlon dominated the early going, not allowing a hit until the fifth inning. No Firebird reached second base in the first four frames.

In the top of the fifth, Carthage used a single, wild pitch and an RBI double to score the game's first run. Rogers worked out of the jam, keeping the Firebirds to just one run in the inning.

Parker Wyatt recorded the Cardinals' first hit of the day in the sixth inning on a double down the left field line. Scanlon kept North Central at bay to hold a 1-0 lead. The Firebirds tacked on a run in the seventh on two hits to bring in Drew Knecht. 

After the Cardinals were set down in order, Carthage added two runs to take a 4-0 advantage. Scanlon allowed a walk and hit by pitch in the bottom of the ninth to force a pitching change. The Firebird reliever Jake Hartman Jr. earned the save and secured a 4-0 win for Carthage. 

Rogers struck out four batters in his 6.1 innings of work, allowing two runs and three hits on the night. Payton Diaz allowed two runs, one earned, in his outing while Elijah Hammond did not allow a hit in his 1.2 innings on the mound. Rogers fell to 2-4 while Scanlon moved to 6-1 on the season.

The Cardinals wrap up the regular season this weekend with a three-game series against North Park University. North Central visits the Vikings Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. before hosting a doubleheader at Pfund Stadium in Carol Stream.

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