It took a come-from-behind effort, but the Grinnell netmen defeated a talented Carthage team, 5-4. Then later in the day Grinnell used its depth to defeat Western Connecticut, 8-1.
Carthage moved out to a 2-1 lead during doubles play as they won at No. 1 and 2 doubles. At No. 1 Jose Coloma and Tommy Pitcher fell 8-6 and at No. 2 Cole Miller and CJ Ray fell by the same score. Tracy and Johnson and Sam Stickels prevailed at No. 3 doubles, 8-3.
"It was the second time this season that we were faced with being down 2-1 after doubles," stated Coach Andy Hamilton. "Since we had to make a comeback versus Ohio Wesleyan, we knew what it would take to gain the victory over Carthage."
Bouyed by continual strong play at the bottom of the lineup, the Pioneers swept No. 4-6 singles. Tracy Johnson posted a 6-2, 6-4 victory at No. 4, Tommy Pitcher won at No. 5, 6-1, 6-3 and Sam Catanzaro moved into the lineup to post a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 6.
Grinnell's deciding point came at No. 1 singles as he notched a hard-fought 6-1, 6-4 victory.
Cole Miller and CJ Ray fell at No. 2 and 3 singles, 6-0, 6-1, and 3-6, 6-3, {10-7}, respectively.
In the afternoon match the Pioneers played a completely different lineup to gain victory over Western Connecticut.
At No. 1, singles, Bryson Cale fell in the most competitive contest of the match, 2-6, 6-2, {10-2}. Kumar rolled at No. 2, 6-0, 6-1; Zach Lane cruised at No. 3, 6-0, 6-1; Beau Bressler won, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4; Hamilton prevailed 6-1, 6-2 at No. 5; and Peter Sills rounded out the singles victories at No. 6, 6-0, 6-0.
On Friday the Pioneers started their match versus St. John's University (MN) with doubles wins at No. 2 and 3. Johnson and Stickels were off the court first at No. 3 with an 8-3 win. Ray and Miller got on track with an 8-4 win at No. 2, but Pitcher and Coloma fell at No. 1.
In singles play St. John's tied the match score at 2-2 with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Bryson Cale at No 5. The Pioneers won first sets at every other position before the rain halted play.
