EUREKA, Ill. – The Carroll University baseball team completed a doubleheader sweep of Eureka on Saturday, earning a 3–0 shutout in the opener before erupting for a 14–7 win in game two to move to 4–1 on the young season.
Game 1 – Carroll 3, Eureka 0
The opening game developed into a classic pitchers' duel, with neither team breaking through until the eighth inning. Carroll's staff was outstanding throughout, limiting Eureka to just one hit while stranding several baserunners early.
Starter Erik Jaschinski set the tone with six scoreless innings, allowing no hits while working around three walks. Braden Lewis followed with three shutout innings in relief, giving up just one hit to earn the win and complete the combined one-hitter.
After being held scoreless through seven innings, the Pioneers finally broke through in the top of the eighth. Leo Matuga ignited the rally by reaching base, and Carroll capitalized on a pair of defensive miscues. Jimmy Williams drove in the first run by reaching on an error, and Dalen Lamberson followed with a successful bunt fielder's choice to plate another run. Eddie Synek capped the inning with an RBI single to left, giving Carroll a 3–0 cushion.
Williams, Lamberson, and Synek each recorded RBIs, while Carroll's pitching staff and defense made the late runs stand up to secure the shutout.
Game 2 – Carroll 14, Eureka 7
The nightcap told a very different story, as Carroll's offense came alive late to erase a four-run deficit and pull away.
Eureka jumped out to a 3–0 lead in the first inning and added three more runs in the third, but Carroll responded with timely hitting and patience at the plate. Ethan Becker delivered a two-run double in the third to get the Pioneers on the board, keeping the game within reach.
The turning point came in the seventh and eighth innings. Brody Ferko launched a two-run home run in the seventh to cut the deficit to 6–4, setting the stage for a decisive eighth inning. Carroll sent 13 batters to the plate in the frame, scoring eight runs on four hits while taking advantage of walks and errors. Ferko delivered again with a two-run single, while Williams, Lamberson, and Joey Appino each drove in runs as the Pioneers surged ahead.
Ferko finished with five RBIs in game two, while Williams and Lamberson combined for six hits and four runs scored. On the mound, Isaac Verbruggen earned the win in relief after stabilizing the game in the middle innings, and Carroll closed out the sweep with two more runs in the ninth.
The doubleheader sweep showcased Carroll's depth on the mound and resilience at the plate as the Pioneers continued their strong early-season form. Their next opportunity comes on Wednesday as they host Lakeland in a single game at 2pm in their home opener.
