The Aurora University softball team powered their way through a pair of five inning victories over the Marian University Sabres on Monday afternoon at the Stuart Sports Complex. AU swept Marian, winning 8-0 and 14-4 both in five innings.
 
In game one, pitcher Vanessa Hartzell held Marian at bay as the AU offense powered its way to the win. Amie Raynor started the Spartans off in the second inning with a single to centerfield, eventually scoring on a single from Megan Nerger. AU would grab one more run in the inning on a sacrifice fly from Lauren Huebner which scored Taylor Moore. The Spartans went scoreless in the third and fourth before busting open the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Logan Cahill kept up her powerful day by blasting a double to center scoring both Mandey Shrader and Huebner who both reached on singles. Moore then singled to right center scoring Larkin Langston and extending the lead to 7-0. Vanessa Wagner would seal the deal blasting a double to deep center scoring Moore. The double gave AU an 8-0 lead and enacting the mercy rule, ending the game.
 
Game two saw the Spartans trail for the first time on the day. Marian was able to score on a single from their first basemen scoring two. AU quickly responded loading the bases in the bottom of the first and the Sabres pitcher walked in two runs to tie the game. Moore kept her impressive day going as she singled to right field scoring Stephanie Starr as AU took their first lead of game two. AU picked up right after where they left off in the bottom of the second, Cahill drove in Shrader who reached on an error. With Cahill on first base, Langston hit a towering homerun over the left field scoring Cahill. Marian would not go quietly as they would score two more times before Vanessa Hartzell came in relief in the fourth and sealed the deal.  AU scored seven runs in the fourth inning including a three-run homerun from Raynor.
 
With the sweep, AU is now 15-3 overall and 8-0 in the NACC. Next action for the Spartan softball team comes on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 when they host Benedictine University for a NACC doubleheader. Game one is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Stuart Sports Complex in Montgomery, Illinois. As part of AU - NCAA Division III Week, a home run derby will take place between games of the doubleheader and Special Olympians will participate in a softball throw event at the conclusion of game two. Trivia questions for AU related prizes will take place throughout the game.