RICHMOND, Ky. - The Carroll University baseball team dropped its season opener, falling 16–8 to Wittenberg Friday afternoon.

Carroll jumped ahead early and led 6–4 through two innings, but Wittenberg used a six-run fourth inning to regain control and pull away for the win.

After Wittenberg struck first with three runs in the top of the first, Carroll responded immediately. J. Appino homered to right-center to get the Pioneers on the board, and B. Ferko followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 3–2.

The Pioneers took the lead in the second inning. J. Williams drew a bases-loaded walk, and D. Lamberson delivered a two-run single to give Carroll a 5–4 advantage. A passed ball later in the inning allowed another run to score, pushing the Carroll lead to 6–4.

Wittenberg answered in the fourth, capitalizing on extra-base hits and defensive miscues to score six runs and take a 10–6 lead. The Tigers added two more runs in the fifth and four over the final three innings to extend the margin.

Carroll added a run in the fourth when R. Kopecky drove in D. Lamberson with a groundout, and Ju. Cusimano capped the scoring in the ninth with an RBI double to left-center.

Lamberson led Carroll offensively, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Appino finished 2-for-5 with a home run, while Cusimano added an RBI double off the bench. Carroll drew 10 walks on the day.

On the mound, T. Fredrick made the start for the Pioneers, working 3.2 innings. B. Staab provided 3.2 innings of relief, while I. Verbrugge and N. Sternig combined to close out the game.

Carroll will look to bounce back when the Pioneers return to action on Saturday in as they stay in Richmond to take on Berea and Kalamazoo in a double header.