Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Neither the visiting Crusaders of Maranatha Baptist Bible College or the cool spring weather could slow the Spartan baseball team as AU swept the Crusaders 10-0 in 7 innings in both Northern Athletics
GAME ONE
Aurora  10  Maranatha  0 (7 innings)

The Spartans got out to a quick lead on Maranatha, giving AU starting pitcher Brad Warnecke a 4-0 lead after one inning of play.

In the first inning, AU got five hits to tally the four runs with senior Tim Mackey starting it all off with a bunt base hit and he scored on a double from senior Ryan Adams. A single by junior Cory Walden scored Adams and after junior Mike Foley reached on an infield single, both Walden and Foley scored on a single from senior Ryan Payne.
AU's bats did go a little quiet over the next couple innings before scoring three runs in the fifth inning. Payne again drove in Adams and Walden with a single to left field.

As Warnecke continued to control the Maranatha bats, AU had the 10-run mercy rule on its mind in the sixth inning. AU got two more runs to take a 9-0 lead. Freshman Carlos Olavarria and Adams had back-to-back doubles in the two-run inning.

AU put the game to an early end in the seventh inning, leading off with a Foley double. Foley then moved to third on a fly-out and after Payne reached on a hit-by-pitch, Foley scored on a wild pitch for the 10th and final run of the game.

Warnecked earned the win, allowing three hits over seven innings and striking out six, while Payne was two for three with four runs batted in.

GAME TWO
Aurora  10  Maranatha  0 (7 innings)


And the Spartan bats answered the call, scoring five runs on four hits and taking advantage of three Crusader errors while also swiping six bases. AU batted around with the only extra base-hit of the inning coming off the bat of Walden to left center field.

Sitterly coasted through the second inning and AU's offense took advantage, scoring five more times and once again batting around. Singles and stolen bases were again the hot topic as all six hits were singles and the Spartans stole four more bases.

Sitterly held Maranatha to two hits over the remainder of the game and AU coasted to the 10-0 seven inning win. Sitterly struck out 10 for his fifth win of the season.

With the sweep, AU is now 27-8 overall and 14-4 in the NAC. Next action for the Spartan baseball team comes on Sunday, April 29 when they travel to Marian University. Game time is set for 1 p.m. in Fond du lac, Wis.