CARLINVILLE, Ill. - Carroll University (2-1, 0-0 CCIW) opened up it's season winning three of four games at Blackburn College. The Pioneers would drop the opener on Saturday 16-6 before winning game two 18-8 and game three 18-2 on Sunday.
Game one Saturday was a struggle defensively and on the mound. Seven walks, two hit batters and four errors lead to six unearned runs. Trailing 9-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Carroll was able to plate five runs and cut the deficit to 9-6. The big hit as a two run home run to left field off the bat of designated hitter, AJ Johnson. However, that was as close as the Pios would get as Blackburn would plate seven runs in the 6th to close out game one, 16-6.
The nightcap on Saturday would see Carroll shake off the rust that was apparent in game one. The Pioneers would play clean defensively and pound out 19 hits as they cruised to the 18-8 victory. Sophomore Alex Morland (1-0) would earn the win on the mound working four scoreless innings, striking out five and surrendering just one hit. Johnson would continue his torrent pace to start the season ending the game 3x4 with his second homerun of the day and five RBI.
Sunday saw the Pio offense pick-up right where it left off on Saturday. Out of the gates Carroll scored six runs in the top of the first, four more in the second and two in the third to build a 12-0 lead. That was all the lead the pitching staff would need. Senior Jake Sweet (1-0) would start and work three clean innings as five pitchers would combine to issue just one walk in the game.
AJ Johnson is off to a tremendous start to the season finishing the weekend 7x11 (.636) with four doubles, two homeruns (1.545 slugging %) and 10 RBI. Carroll would get contributions offensively up and down the line-up as eight players would record at least three hits in the series.
The Pioneers will return to action on Friday as they kick off their spring trip against Lakeland University in Fort Myers, Florida. Carroll will be in Fort Myers from March 10th to the 19th as they play nine varsity games and seven reserve games before returning home.
