CAROL STREAM, Ill. – Carroll University (16-14, 5-12 CCIW) won both ends of their double-header on Sunday against Millikin University (15-16, 5-12 CCIW) to sweep the three game set, 3-2 and 8-0.
Game one was a pitchers dual that saw Millikin take the initial lead in the fourth inning as they pushed across a run on a suicide squeeze to claim the 1-0 lead. The Big Blue threatened to tack on another run in the inning but Alex Kermendy would cut down a Millikin runner at the palte to end the inning.
Carroll would finally get on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ethan Burns would hit a sharp ground ball to the Millikin third baseman that would bounce off his glove into shallow left field, allowing Burns to advance all the way to second base. Following a ground out, Zach Meyer, would single to drive home Burns and knot the score at 1-1.
The Pios would take their first lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Matt Putman would reach base on an error and Alex Kermendy and AJ Johnson would both walk to load the bases. Burns would hit what was potentially an inning-ending double play ball but would beat the throw at first base allowing not only Putman to score from third but also allowing a hustling Kermendy to score all the way from second and give Carroll the 3-1 lead.
Lefty starter, Carter Howard (4-2) would have a solid day on the mound. Working seven and two-thirds innings while striking out five and not allowing a walk.
Millikin would threaten in the top of the eighth inning. A lead-off single followed by a fielding error put runners at first and second with no outs. However, a 6-4-3 double-play would leave a runner at third with two outs. The Big Blue would double to left field, scoring the runner from third to cut the lead to 3-2. Following another single to put runners at the corners, Carroll called on Jacob Horner in relief. Horner would walk the first batter he faced, but escape the jam with an inning ending fly out to left field.
Sophomore Max Maney would enter in the ninth and work a clean 1-2-3 inning to record his fourth save of the season.
Game two would see the Carroll pitching staff shut-out the Big Blue while limiting them to four hits in a full-staff effort that saw five pitchers toe the rubber for the Pioneers.
Jake Langford would pace the offense finishing 3x5 with a double and a run scored. AJ Johnson and Kermendy would both collect a pair of hits in the 8-0 win.
In the three-game weekend series, the Pioneer pitching staff would allow just two runs in 27 innings of work.
