NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Carroll University (9-19, 4-9 CCIW) fell on the road to CCIW leader North Central (14-9, 9-2 CCIW) by the final score of 16-5.

North Central dominated from start to finish as they would plate five runs in the first, the big blow coming on a grand slam to right field off the bat of John Carmody to give the Cardinals the 5-0 lead.

Carroll would answer with a run in the top of the second as Brady Durni would score on a Mike Rufer sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 5-1.

The host Cardinals would extend the lead to 9-1, in second as they would add three runs on four hits in the inning before adding a single tally in the third inning.

The Pioneer offense would continue to chip away at the lead in the top of the fourth inning.  Hunter Frey would single to lead off the inning and steal second base.  Durni would single to put runners at the corners with one out.  Matt Putman would drive home Frey with a single down the left field line for the first run of the inning.  Freshman Nolan Heck would promptly drive home Durni for the second run of the inning.  Rufer would follow suit, driving home Heck and cutting the deficit to 9-4.

Unfortunately for the Pios, North Central would continue to put runs on the board, adding seven runs over the next three innings to build a 16-4 lead.

Carroll would add a single run in the seventh as Alex Kermendy would lead off the inning with a double to left field and score on a Frey sacrifice fly to bring the final tally to 16-5.

The Pios will return to action this weekend as they travel to Carthage College on Saturday for a twin-bill before returning home on Sunday to host Elmhurst in a double dip.