John Carroll had a great day to say the least.  This date was circled on the calendar as a test to see how good this team can compete against a top tier team in college baseball.  They passed the test, playing their brand of baseball.
 
Game One

Freshman pitcher Jack Kartsonas got his first career start today and he didn't disappoint.  It's never easy to get your first start, but it's even harder when you have to face the #14 team in the nation and a senior lead offense for St. John Fisher College.
 
Kartsonas final line was six innings pitched, three runs, two earned runs, and allowing only four hits.  That didn't tell the true story of how well the freshman kept his poise against the Cardinals.
 
The two earned runs came in the fourth when Kartsonas gave up a two-run homer, other than that, he silenced the multiple All-American bats for the Cardinals.
 
"I'm just happy to be in Florida and pitch for my team," said Kartsonas after the game.
 
The offense came late for the Blue Streaks, but just in the nick of time.  It might have been after Mike Anderson was thrown out at the plate in the top of the fifth for the final out of the inning on a questionable call that would fire up the Blue Streaks.
 
The sixth inning saw Henry Haracz single with two outs, find his way to third, and then score on a David Ferguson single.  John Carroll would be down 3-1 at the end of the sixth after an unearned run came across the plate for the Cardinals.
 
That set the scene for the first of two thrilling endings.  Anderson walked and advanced to third on a Brady Fields double down the line.  Matt Springer grounded out to short to score Anderson. With two outs and a runner on third, senior Aaron Zawadzki stepped to the plate.
 
Zawadzki battled for a few pitches then launched a ball deep to left field, ultimately going over the fence and giving John Carroll a 4-3 lead.
 
"I was looking to get a base hit and score the runner from third so the game would be tied," said Zawadzki, "but I laid good wood on the ball and was able to drive it out of the park and give us the lead."
 
Jack Bennett came in to get the save and secure the come from behind victory.
 
Game Two
 
John Carroll would find themselves down again against St. John Fisher but, like before, would crawl their way back into the game.  Mitch Midea got the start in game two and was able to grind out 6+ innings despite not having his best command.
 
The only run that Midea would allow would be a sacrifice fly in the third inning.  Midea showed that when he doesn't have his best stuff, he can still be a really good pitcher, keeping John Carroll in the game.
 
Freshman Matt Aukerman got his first career win in relief of Midea.  Aukerman came on with one on and no outs and was able to get an out and then a 4-6-3 double play to neutralize the threat and hold the Cardinals to no runs.
 
Brady Fields was once again in the middle of the scoring in game two for the Blue Streaks, this time walking in the sixth inning, advancing on a bunt single by Springer, and then scoring on a wild pitch.  This manufactured run would tie the game at 1-1.
 
The eighth inning saw a pair of Blue Streaks get out to start the inning, bringing up Christian Cassaro.  Cassaro got a fastball over the plate and didn't think twice before swinging. Cassaro made solid contact and watched the ball sail clear over the right field wall for his first home run in a Blue Streak uniform.
 
"I got a pitch I liked and was able to do something with it," said Cassaro, "I'm glad that I could contribute to my team and help us beat a great team."
 
Duncan Cappar came on to get the five out save and when it was all said and done, the Blue Streaks emerged 2-1 victors.
 
The Blue Streaks move to 7-3 on the year after defeating the #14 ranked Cardinals in both of their games today.  John Carroll will have one move game tomorrow before heading North and it will be the final game of a three-game set against St. John Fisher.