FORT MYERS, Fla. - Carroll University (4-7, 0-0 CCIW) couldn't overcome a 12 run sixth inning as they fell to Western Connecticut State 17-9 on Saturday afternoon.

Western would take the 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a two-out RBI double.  Carroll would respond in the bottom half of the inning as Arron Buck and Jacob Horner would lead off the inning with back-to-back hits and both would score on a Matt Putman single to take the lead 2-1.

The Pios would extend their advantage in the fourth inning as a one out walk to Sam Harmeyer and a Buck single would put runners at first and second.  Horner would double off the left field wall to score Harmeyer and a Brady Durni single would score Buck.  Putman would drive home his third run of the game as his single would plate Horner and give Carroll the 5-1 lead.

Drew Tanck would lead off the fifth with a single and score on a Harmeyer RBI single to push the Pios' advantage to 6-1.

The top of the sixth would be a nightmare for the Pioneers. Western would send 16 batters to the plate in the inning, the first 12 before an out would be recorded as they would take the lead 13-6.

Carroll would answer with three runs in the bottom of the sixth on RBI hits off the bats of Hunter Frey and Tanck and a sacrifice fly from Harmeyer to pull back within 13-9.

That is as close as Carroll would get as Western closed out the 17-9 victory.

The Carroll offense would break out of it's recent slump.  The Pios would pound out 18 hits on the day, Putman (3x5, 3 RBI) would lead he offensive attack.

The Pioneers will wrap up their spring trip on Sunday morning as they take on Bethal University at 9am EST.