WAUKESHA, Wis. - The Carroll baseball team got back on track on Thursday afternoon, defeating Rockford 9-2 on a frigid and blustery day in Frame Park. Carroll (5-10, 0-0) hit three homers over the left field fence, taking advantage of the southerly winds. 

Eddie Synek went 2-for-3 with one single and his first career home run to lead the Pios. Synek also tallied three RBI in the contest. In a game that had five total hits for Carroll, Mason Hege and Lane Scott had solo home runs, their fifth and second of the season, respectively, while Joey Appino contributed a triple to round out the Pioneers' batting attack. 

Carroll started the scoring in the second inning with back-to-back solo shots from Scott and Hege. Carroll held the Regents scoreless until the seventh inning, making the score 6-1. Carroll responded by tacking on three more runs in the bottom of the seventh, building the lead to 9-1. Rockford scored one more in the top of the ninth, but it was too little too late as Carroll left the day with their fifth victory of the season. 

 
The Pioneers utilized three pitchers including starter Brett Buzzelli, Erik Jaschinski, and Conner Nolen. Buzzelli earned his victory of the season, pitching seven strong innings, allowing four hits and allowing zero earned runs. Buzzelli also struck out five batters and only walked two batters. 

Carroll gets a much-needed week off before they begin CCIW competition. The Pioneers will take on Illinois Wesleyan for a three-game weekend series in Bloomington, beginning on March 29 at 3 p.m.