A non-conference contest was on the docket for the Aurora University baseball team as they traveled to Chicago to take on the Vikings of North Park University. The Spartans fell behind early and fell 14-3.

AU starting pitcher Tyler Findlay came in looking to improve his record to 3-0 on the season but ran into trouble from the first Viking he faced. A lead-off double was manufactured into the games first run. In the second, walks did in Findlay as he walked to the first two Vikings and then gave up three hits in the inning with four runs scoring for a 5-0 deficit for AU.

In the top of the third the Spartan bats came to life, putting pressure on North Park. Back to back singles by Steven Jacquez and Cale Sparks were followed by a two run error off the bat of Jeff Gersch. Gersch would score later in the inning and the Spartans trailed by just two at 5-3.

But the AU bats would only pick up three hits the remaining six innings while North Park added to their lead, scoring one run off Findlay in the fourth. Freshman Jacob Stockman came on to throw the fifth and sixth for the Spartans, allowing one run and two hits while striking out one.

The Spartan bullpen faultered in the seventh as North Park pushed across four runs, all being charged to sophomore Brent Bergeson who faced four Vikings and allowed one hit, walked two and hit on batter. Sophomore Tyler Williams finished the final two innings and allowed two runs for the eventual 14-3 Spartan loss.

Senior Tanner Oymaian finished the game two for three with a stolen base and sophomore Adam Lipscomb was two for four.

With the loss, AU is now 9-4 overall. Next action for the Spartan baseball team comes on Friday, March 20 when they travel to Wheaton College. AU will take on Buena Vista University at 2:00 p.m. in Carol Stream, Illinois.