Box Score NAPERVILLE, Ill. – North Central (Ill.) scored 10 runs in the third inning to break open a slim 1-0 lead and carry the host Cardinals past the Wisconsin Lutheran College baseball team 14-4 in non-conference action Wednesday at Zimmerman Stadium.
Leading 1-0 after a first-inning sacrifice fly, the Cardinals erupted for 10 runs on eight hits in the third, including three extra base hits and a bases-clearing double.
The Warriors reached the run column in the fourth when Matt Wick's (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) RBI single to left center plated Aaron Roeseler (Watertown, Wis./Luther Preparatory). Zack Skog (Hampshire, Ill./Hampshire) later scored WLC's second run of the game when Ryan Stancl (Bartlett, Ill./South Elgin) reached safely on a fielder's choice. NCC got one of its runs back in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single.
Brandon Mantz (West Bend, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) led off the sixth inning with a solo shot to left, the first home run of his career. Roeseler later reached safely on a fielder's choice that brought Evan Teske (Crete, Ill./Illinois Lutheran) across to score. The Warriors' rally was halted as they left the bases loaded after Skog lined out to second for the final out of the inning.
Following three scoreless frames from reliever Aaron Kieweg (Muskego, Wis./Muskego), the Cardinals plated two runs on two hits in the eighth to end the game via run rule.
Roeseler and Wick each had two hits for the Warriors. Travis Stahulak (Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger) surrendered nine runs in 2.1 innings to suffer the loss.
Jake Rone and John Ciolkosz each went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two run scored for North Central (23-11). Andrew Houser earned the win after tossing 6.0 innings while allowing one earned run and striking out five.
The Warriors (16-18, 7-11 NACC) wrap up Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play Friday when they host Dominican (20-15, 9-9 NACC) in a 12 p.m. NACC doubleheader at Neumann Family Fields. WLC can remain in conference tournament contention with two wins over the Stars.
