WAUKESHA, Wis. - Coming off one of the best seasons in program history, the Carroll University baseball team plans to build off of the momentum created by the success, reassert itself as a strong, consistent contender and blaze a clear path toward the top of the ever-challenging nationally recognized College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin.
Carroll finished fourth in the highly contested regular-season conference standings with a 14-18 record last year (its highest placement within the league) and 22-22 overall capped with an energized, thrilling third-place finish in the CCIW Tournament.
The Pioneers, who continued to improve throughout the course of the year and finished with a long list of impressive statement-making season highlights, equaled the program record for victories in a single season (highlighted by three victories over top-10 nationally-ranked teams) and concluded the memorable 2021 campaign with a conference-leading 43 home runs to rank 20th in the nation in NCAA Division III.
"This year we will face some great competition early in the nonconference season," said Carroll head coach Stein Rear, who recently earned Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association College Coach of the Year honors for the Pioneers' standout season. "It will test us and continue to prepare everyone for the challenges we face game in and game out in the CCIW. We have a great group of experienced players coming back along with a lot of good young talent, have high expectations and are ready for the opener."
Carroll, which was one of six teams in the prestigious league to earn the 2021 ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award (for the sixth consecutive year), has been picked to finish sixth in this year's CCIW preseason coaches poll.
The Pioneers will be looking to fill a void created by the graduation of first-team all-conference selections TJ Pfaffle, Dylan Callahan and Curtis Sheahan.
Pfaffle, a third-team all-region second baseman/catcher, led the Pioneers with a .372 batting average and team-high six stolen bases. 
Callahan, a standout first-team all-region outfielder was second with a .358 average and led the team in hits (62), runs (44), doubles (20 to establish a single-season school record and finish seventh in the nation), home runs (9 to tie for the team high), slugging percentage (.653), and OPS (on-base plus slugging) (1.058). 
Sheahan, the team's hard throwing left-handed pitching ace, finished with a team-best 5-3 overall record, allowing 76 hits with a single-season program record 71 strikeouts, 22 earned runs, 15 walks and team-low 2.84 earned run average in 69 2/3 innings.
Carroll will be led by a large, strong core of battle-tested upperclassmen, including first-team all-region (ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region) third baseman Benton Holly and CCIW first-team all-conference first baseman Mitchell Massino who will both bolster the middle of the lineup.
Holly, a senior from Mundelein, Ill., finished third on the team with a .313 average including 12 doubles, co-leading nine home runs, two triples, .578 slugging percentage, .976 OPS and team-best 40 RBIs.
"After the success we had last year and how we finished in the conference it's exciting to see where that momentum will take us this season," Holly said. "We have our entire coaching staff back and a lot of key returning players who are determined to win. If we find the right balance between competing at our highest level and having fun, this season will be one to remember."
Massino, a graduate student from South Beloit, Ill., contributed a .262 average with 44 hits, 13 doubles, co-leading nine home runs, 37 RBIs, .536 slugging percentage and .890 OPS.
"This season brings great excitement," Massino said. "Finishing third in the conference tournament last year shows that we can be at the top again this season. The return of many core guys with experience will bring us great leadership and confidence."
Junior Nick Angus (.289 average with 26 hits, 18 runs and 16 RBIs) and senior Justin Baker (.263 with 35 hits, 30 runs and 27 RBIs) will look to build on solid performances this season as they look to step into more prominent offensive roles. 
The defense will be anchored by fifth-year returning senior shortstop Brad Vosters while senior catchers Trevor Benz and Clay Schult look to provide leadership behind the plate.  Fellow seniors Josh Kolb and Matt Pestel are looking to bring a heavy dose of defensive prowess to the outfield.
Senior right-hander Ben Ellifson from Oak Creek, Wis., (4-3 record with 71 hits, 30 earned runs, 18 strikeouts, nine walks and 5.96 ERA in 45 1/3 innings) and sophomore right-hander Brett Buzzelli (2-1 record with 50 hits, 32 strikeouts, 23 earned runs, 14 walks and 3.88 ERA in 53 1/3 innings) return to help lead a promising pitching rotation for the Pioneers. Senior right-hander Drew McDermid returns to the rotation and junior right-hander Nick Evert will be looking to make a successful transition from the bullpen.
"I am excited for this upcoming season," Ellifson said. "We have a senior heavy roster this year with many multiple-season starters returning. We also have a lot of young talent that I think is going to step up when called upon. Everyone has a role and I believe they all understand their part which will only help lead to success."
The bullpen will be powered by senior right-hander Jake Nitch, who finished second in the CCIW with nine saves, will continue in the closer roll and look to see more multiple-inning opportunities this year.  
Graduate student right-hander Dawson Kiphart and junior left-hander Josh Streu also return as prominent late inning relievers.  Senior right-hander Michael Costanzo, senior left-hander Griffin Klein, senior left-hander Zach Tuss, senior right-hander Andrew Stekiel and junior right-hander Bryce Spaulding will provide great depth and experience on the mound. 
"As with every year, we are looking to finish near the top of the conference," Rear added. "Being picked to finish dead last in the preseason poll last year provided us with some additional motivation. We're out to prove that our 2021 finish (and strong run in the CCIW Tournament) wasn't a fluke.  There are numerous programs throughout the conference that doubt we can be an annual contender. It's our challenge to prove them wrong."
The Pioneers are scheduled to open the season versus Centre College in a nonconference doubleheader at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19.
Stay up to date on Carroll baseball by going online to www.gopios.com, or by following the Pioneers on Facebook (Carroll University Athletics), Twitter (@pio_athletics), and Instagram (@pio_athletics)

PIONEER FAST FACTS
What: Carroll University baseball team
Conference: College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin
Head Coach: Stein Rear (2021 Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association College Coach of the Year).
Assistant Coaches: Justin Scoville, Kevin Dineen, Preston Saal, Jake Yellovich, Cooper Burns, TJ Pfaffle and Alan Spurley
2021: Finished 14-18 in CCIW (fourth place in regular season standings) and 22-22 overall (capped with a memorable third-place finish in the prestigious CCIW Tournament)
Notable: Carroll equaled the program record for victories in a single season with 22, originally established in 2018 (highlighted by three victories over top-10 nationally ranked teams) and concluded the year with a league-leading 43 home runs ranking 20th in the nation in NCAA Division III
Key Graduation Losses: First-team all-conference outfielder Dylan Callahan, first-team all-conference second baseman/catcher TJ Pfaffle and first-team all-conference pitcher Curtis Sheahan
Team Members: Graduate Students - Brad Vosters, Mitchell Massino, Dawson Kiphart; Seniors - Matt Pestel, Jake Nitch, Josh Kolb, Tyler Love, Ben Ellifson, Griffin Klein, Michael Costanzo, Trevor Benz, Benton Holly, Drew McDermid, Clay Schult, Justin Baker, Zach Tuss, Andrew Stekiel; Juniors - Eli Syverson, Cole Haugh, Scotty Starovich, Luke Blaha, Stevie Diderrich, Bryce Spaulding, Nick Evert, Dylan Timmerman, Casey Mir, Nick Angus; Sophomores - Thomas Ward, Brett Buzzelli, Jexel Valentin, Bennet Becker, Connor Nolen, Max Diaz, Connor Kelly, Josh Streu, Mason Hege, Jorge Rodriguez, Nolan Fehrman, Kevin Farbisz, Daniel Kalinowski, Adam Leonard; Freshmen - Roman Maguire, Dayvin Olaiz, Anthony Tado, Luke Barber, Elliot Elm, Collin Molisee, Brody Meyer, Lane Scott, Conor Dunlavy, Brady LaMack, Ben Johnson, Matt Burgos, Gavin Holst, Austin Montague, Riccardo Rocchi