In the opening game of the 2015 NCAA Division III Softball Regional Tournament hosted by Central College in Pella, Iowa, the Aurora University Spartans went into extra innings before knocking off Fontbonne University 1-0 in 8 innings.

Pitching was on display in the game as AU junior Vanessa Hartzell and Fontbonne pitcher Madi Leonard went back and forth in controlling the opposing offenses. Fontbonne did get two of what would only be four hits over eight innings against Hartzell in the top of the first inning. After the third inning, Hartzell only allowed four base runners with two walks, one hit and one error. Of those runners, senior catcher Vanessa Wegner threw out two would be base stealers.

The Spartans on offense managed only four hits in the game but it was a one out single by freshman Megan Nerger in the eighth that sparked the Spartans. After Angel Guerra came on to run for Nerger, Lauren Huebner drew a walk and Mandey Shrader was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Logan Cahill. Cahill delivered a two strike grounder up the middle that forced Shrader at second but Guerra crossed the plate with the game winning run.

With the win, AU is now 36-6 on the season. Hartzell improved to 19-5 with eight strikeouts over eight innings and no runs.

Next action for the Spartan softball team comes on Saturday, May 9, 2015 in the 2015 NCAA Division III Regional Tournament in Pella, Iowa. AU will play at 11:00 a.m. against either Central College or Gustavus Adolphus University.