WAUKESHA, Wis. - Coming off memorable, history-making back-to-back College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin Tournament appearances the previous two years, the Carroll University baseball program plans to live up to its growing reputation as one of the upper tier teams, continue its steady development and blaze a clear path toward the top of the conference standings in 2023.
Carroll finished fifth in the highly contested league standings with a 9-9 record and 18-23 last year, advancing to the prestigious league tournament for the second consecutive season, a feat accomplished for the first time in program history.
"This year will be an exciting challenge," said Carroll head coach Stein Rear, the 2021 Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association College Coach of the Year whose teams have combined for 40 victories over the last two years. "We have a good combination of veterans and newcomers who have brought talent and enthusiasm to the program. 
"Coming off a couple of years making CCIW tournament appearances and top half finishes in the league, we are pushing to make the next step in our development. We have some shoes to fill from last year, especially on the mound, but we have some pieces in place that are ready to contribute." 
The Pioneers will be led by the high-powered offensive duo of Benton Holly and Casey Mir, who each earned all-conference honors last season.
Holly, a senior third baseman from Mundelein, Ill. and first-team selection, finished with a .272 batting average and .565 slugging percentage with 40 hits, including a team-leading 11 home runs (highlighted by a league-leading nine in the CCIW), six doubles, two triples, team-best 38 RBIs and 33 runs scored in starting all 41 games.
Mir, a senior utility player from Menomonee Falls, Wis., and second-team selection, led the team with a .336 average, .950 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), 48 hits, 14 doubles, 26 runs scored, 24 RBIs and six stolen bases in starting every game.
"I am personally very excited about this upcoming season," Mir said. "We have a very close-knit group of guys that are a lot of fun to be around. We have put in a great amount of work this off-season, and there is nothing better than getting to see hard work pay off on the field."
Justin Baker, a graduate student from Waukesha, Wis. and the team's designated hitter who was having a career year in 2022 before being lost to injury at mid-season (.375 average with 27 hits and 17 RBIs in starting 21 games), is slated to return to the middle of the lineup. Juniors Thomas Ward and Mason Hege also figure to make big impacts for the Pioneers' offensive attack.
Trevor Benz, a fifth-year senior catcher from West Allis, Wis. will bring stability and experience behind the plate in helping to guide the pitching staff. 
Brett Buzzelli, a junior right-hander from Homer Glen, Ill., returns for a third straight season and figures to bring a heavy dose of leadership to the starting rotation.
Buzzelli registered a 3-4 overall record in 11 starts last year, recording 57 strikeouts with 13 walks in pitching a team-high 62 innings.
"This upcoming season is going to be super exciting because we moved on from a heavy upper-classmen lineup to a lot of talented and hungry younger guys," Buzzelli said. "Teams are going to have to battle us all nine innings for a win."
Scotty Starovich also returns after missing 2022 following ulnar collateral ligament surgery (also known as Tommy John surgery). A promising group of upperclassmen (including Nolan Fehrman, Jorge Rodriguez, Danny Kalinowski, Andy Stekiel and Elliot Elm), will help round out the rotation. 
Connor Nolen, a junior right-hander from Poplar Grove, Ill. who finished 2-1 with four saves and a 1.50 earned run average in 18 innings of work (yielding just nine hits with 32 strikeouts in making 19 appearances) will be the team's top reliever.
Josh Streu and Connor Kelly also figure to make strong contributions to solidify the back end of the bullpen for Carroll.
"Defensively we have some question marks that hopefully will be answered in the early part of the season," Rear added. "We need to replace a multiple-year starter at shortstop, lock down our outfield and find a reliable second catcher. Some of the younger guys bring some high level tools defensively, but need time to develop with the bat at the collegiate level. That being said, they could provide some late-game defensive upgrades.
"The CCIW will be highly competitive as always with the usual teams competing for the top spot (Augustana and North Central). We have some challenging nonconference opponents that will give us the opportunity to grow and prepare for the conference portion of our schedule."
The Pioneers are scheduled to begin 2023 with a three-game nonconference road trip versus Berea College (Berea, Kentucky), including a season-opening doubleheader on Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. (EST). Due to inclement weather, the three games have been moved up to Thursday and Friday. 
 
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, Cooper Burns, Jake Yellovich, Seth Smith, Dylan Callahan, Jacob Nitch and Brendan Charette
2022: Finished 9-9 in CCIW (fifth place in the league standings) and 18-23 overall (advancing to the prestigious CCIW Tournament for the second consecutive season)
Team Members: Graduate Students - Andrew Stekiel, Trevor Benz, Justin Baker; Seniors - Cole Haugh, Benton Holly, Scotty Starovich, Eli Syverson, Luke Blaha, Casey Mir, Connor Kelly, Josh Streu, Nick Angus; Juniors - Thomas Ward, Brett Buzzelli, Jexel Valentin, Bennet Becker, Connor Nolen, Daniel Kalinowski, Mason Hege, Jorge Rodriguez, Nolan Fehrman, Adam Leonard; Sophomores - Roman Maguire, Brody Meyer, Anthony Tado, Joey Rivera, Brady LaMack, Lane Scott, Luke Barber, Conor Dunlavy, Elliot Elm, Collin Molisee, Jorhan Ortiz; Freshmen - Ben Hurt-Haller, Joey Appino, Evan Becker, Brody Ferko, Nick Herzog, Eddie Synek, Noah Hoffman, Gabe Lee, Sam Stergiades, Josh Bell, Andy Buskohl, Connor Rodgers, Erik Jaschinski, Dalen Lamberson, Nate Sternig