WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University baseball team saw its 2026 season come to a close on Friday evening, falling 8–2 to Augustana in a 12-inning battle at Frame Park.
Carroll struck first in the bottom of the first inning, capitalizing on early opportunities to take a 2–0 lead. Evan Becker and Jimmy Williams each reached base to set the table before Leo Matuga delivered a two-out, two-run single to right field, giving the Pioneers the early advantage.
The score remained 2–0 through the first three innings until Augustana trimmed the deficit to one with a solo home run in the fourth. Carroll starter Tyler Fredrick settled in after the long ball, working efficiently and limiting further damage as the game moved into the late innings.
Augustana tied the game in the ninth with an RBI single, sending the contest into extra innings. Carroll threatened in multiple frames down the stretch but was unable to push across the go-ahead run.
The Vikings broke the game open in the top of the 12th inning, scoring six runs on four hits and taking advantage of several Carroll miscues to build an 8–2 lead. The Pioneers were unable to respond in the bottom of the frame.
Fredrick turned in a strong outing on the mound in the season finale, allowing just one run on four hits over six innings while striking out four. Out of the bullpen, Braden Lewis, Chayce Schultz, Isaac Verbruggen, and Gavin Bullard combined to work the remaining innings.
Offensively, Jimmy Williams and Evan Becker each recorded two hits, while Nathan Crick added a pair of hits off the bench. Ross Olsen also finished with two hits, and Matuga drove in both Carroll runs on his first-inning single.
The loss closed the 2026 campaign for the Pioneers, who finished the season at 21–19 overall and battled through conference play until the final week.
