TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Carroll University (5-7, 0-0 CCIW) split a pair of game on Sunday afternoon at host Rose-Hulman (10-6, 0-0 HCAC), dropping game one 18-7 before winning game two, 3-1.
In the opener, the Pioneers came out swinging like they had all weekend, putting four runs on the board in the top of the first inning. The big blow was a three run round-tripper of the bat of freshman, Justin Baker. It was Baker's second long ball in as many days.
The Fighting Engineers of Rose-Hulman responed with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first and four more in the bottom of the second to claim a 6-4 lead.
Carroll would reclaim the lead in the top of the third as they tallied three more runs to take the 7-6 advantage.
Unfortunately, the Rose-Hulman bats would remain hot as they would score in every inning to cruise to the 18-7 victory in the opener.
Game two would be a different type of game, a low scoring pitching battle that would remain scoreless until the top of the third inning.
Freshman, Josh Kolb would lead off the inning with a double to the right-centerfield gap and later score on a RBI single off the bat of Matt Putman to give the Pios the 1-0 advantage.
Carroll would add to their lead in the top of the fifth inning. Alex Kermendy would lead the inning with a sharp single. Kermendy would steal second base and Matt Putman would be intentionally walked with one out. Kermendy and Putman would execute a double-steal and Kermendy would subsequently score on a wild pitch to give the Pios a 2-0 lead. Justin Baker would line a two-out single to left to score Putman and push the lead to 3-0.
That would be all the offense the Pioneers would need. Junior Seth Smith (1-2) was making his second start of the season and it would be his best. Smith would work four and a third scoreless innings, scattering just five hits to earn the win on the mound.
Andrew Stone, working his way back from injury would make his varsity debut for 2019. Stone worked the final two and two-thirds innings, striking out three, to secure the save and the Pio victory.
Carroll will kick-off conference play as they visit three-time defending CCIW champion, North Central College on Wednesday in Naperville. First pitch is scheduled for 3pm.
