NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Carroll baseball captured a huge CCIW victory on Tuesday night, defeating North Central 4-2. The victory helped Carroll (13-18, 6-8 CCIW) hold a narrow lead over the Cardinals (11-20, 5-8 CCIW) in the conference standings as the Pioneers claimed their revenge. 

As a team, Carroll had eight hits to the Cardinals' nine. Leo Matuga went 3-for-4 to lead the Pios in hits and three more tallied extra-base hits, including a 2nd-inning 2-run home run for the go-ahead runs. On the base paths, Joey Appino added two stolen bases to his season total of 22. 

Both teams did most of the damage in the first three innings, with the score being 3-2 after the third frame. The Pioneers' runs were highlighted by Austin Palmer's 2-run shot over the right field fence, and Dalen Lamberson crossed the plate thanks to a double by Nick Angus. Carroll held North Central scoreless for the last six innings, and added one insurance run in the seventh to secure the victory. 

Carroll utilized three pitchers, including their starting ace Brett Buzzelli, middle reliever Roman Maguire, and powerful closer Connor Nolen. Buzzelli tallied the win, pushing his record on the season to 3-1. Buzzelli went six complete innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits and struck out five batters. Maguire pitched two innings in relief only allowing one hit and tallying one strikeout. Nolen closed the game by striking out the side in "three-up, three-down" fashion in the ninth inning. 

Carroll looks to extend their win streak in a road doubleheader at Lakeland University on Thursday, April 25 for a nonconference makeup set. Game one begins at noon.