NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Carroll University baseball team split with No. 9-ranked and three-time defending conference tournament champion North Central College in a sunny, cool College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin doubleheader at Zimmerman Stadium on Friday afternoon, winning the opener 5-4 but losing the second game 11-1.
The gritty first game effort snapped a string of back-to-back conference losses for Carroll, which is currently 3-6 in the league standings and 9-8 overall following the challenging twin bill.
The statement-making victory took on historical significance as it was the Pioneers' first victory over North Central since April 15, 2017 (a 17-7 home-field victory in the opening game of a CCIW doubleheader), ending an eight-game losing streak to the Cardinals.

Game 1

Sophomore left-hander Scotty Starovich from Pleasant Prairie, Wis., was the winning pitcher, yielding two earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk through six complete innings to lead the Pioneers in the opener.
Starovich, who improved to 3-0 overall, faced 27 hitters forcing eight groundouts and five flyouts in the process.
Carroll answered with three runs in the top of the third inning to erase an early three-run deficit, powered by a clutch one-out two-run triple to left field by TJ Pfaffle and an RBI groundout by Mitchell Massino.
The Pioneers claimed the lead as Justin Baker, who reached on a one-out double down the left-field line and advanced to third on a single by Benton Holly, scored as the result of a fielder's choice.
Pfaffle, who went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to lead a six-hit offensive attack, drove in what became the winning run on an RBI single to right field in the seventh.
Holly scored the game-winner after reaching on an error and advancing to second on a critical one-out sacrifice bunt by Matt Pestel.
Clinging to a two-run lead, Dawson Kiphart came in relief of Starovich and worked a one-hit scoreless seventh for the Pioneers.
Jake Nitch pitched the final two innings to pick-up his second save of the season, allowing one run on two hits.
Carroll's defense took the spotlight in the tension-filled bottom of the ninth as Pestel, a junior left fielder, responded with a key, highlight-reel diving catch to record the first out.
North Central attempted to rally and scored its final run on a fielder's choice, ultimately setting the stage for Nitch's resourceful finish.
With the potential tying and winning runs on first and second with two outs, Nitch demonstrated his mental toughness and poise by forcing a game-ending high-arcing fly out to left field.
Baker, Dylan Callahan and Alec Honickel each added a hit for the Pioneers, who overcame three errors in the contest.
Luke Lehnen went 3-for-5 and scored a run for North Central, which finished with eight hits but stranded 12 runners on base.
Jason Shanner took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits with nine strikeouts and two walks through 6 2/3 innings.

Game 2

Pfaffle delivered a run-scoring single to center field in the top of the seventh in the seven-inning finale.
Callahan and Brad Vosters each added a hit for the Pioneers, who managed three hits but committed three errors and stranded eight baserunners
Pfaffle finished the day a combined 3-for-8 with four RBIs against high-powered North Central, ranked ninth in NCAA Division III in the latest D3baseball.com Top-25 poll.
The Cardinals remain in a three-way tie for first place with Augustana and Millikin.
Seth Smith took the loss, yielding six runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and one walk through four complete innings.
Jared Wojcik went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored for North Central, which improved to 6-2 in league and 11-4 overall with the bounce-back victory. Michael Stoltz also had three hits for the Cardinals, who pounded out 18 hits.
Ryan Behling was the winning pitcher, yielding one run on two hits with five strikeouts and four walks through 6 1/3 innings.
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