Box Score The Aurora University baseball team dropped a non-conference contest at the University of Chicago 8-6 on Friday afternoon.

AU jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead with four runs in the first inning for starting pitcher Greg Fox. The first four Spartans to hit reached with Tanner Oymaian singling, Daniel Walczak walking, Zach Flores singling to score Oymaian and Dillon Popovich reaching on an error that scored Walczak. With one out, Tim Brann doubled to score Flores and Rafer Cooley drove in Popovich with the fourth run of the inning on a ground out.

Chicago got back two runs in the bottom of the inning on a two run double with two outs. In the third inning Chicago added another run off Octavio Dattolo who had come on in relief of Fox.

In the bottom of the sixth, Brent Bergeson relieved Dattolo and after getting out the first hitter he faced, allowed five consecutive hits with four runs scoring giving the Maroons a 7-4 lead. Aron Okamoto relieved Bergeson and limited the damage with one more Chicago runner scoring which was charged to Bergeson.

Trailing by four entering the final at bats of the game, the AU offense went to work. Oymaian reached when he was hit by a pitch and Walczak followed with a single. Flores followed with a run scoring single that brought home Oymaian. Popovich followed with a base hit to score Walczak but Flores was thrown out trying to advance to third base. Jared Swain reached on an error to bring the go ahead run to the plate. Jake Monson pinch hit for Brann but grounded into a double play that would end the contest with an 8-6 AU loss.

Bergeson picked up the loss. AU out hit Chicago in the game 12 to 10 but the Spartans left eight runners on base while AU pitchers left six Maroons stranded on base.

With the loss, AU is now 9-19 overall. Next action for the Spartan baseball team comes on Saturday, April 19 when they travel to Wisconsin Lutheran College. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wis.