Aurora University Athletics

The Aurora University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader at the University of Chicago on Tuesday afternoon, losing 6-3 before winning game two 5-4.

GAME ONE
GAME INFORMATION – Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Score: University of Chicago 6, Aurora University 3
Records: Aurora University (24-7) vs. University of Chicago (17-5)
Location: Chicago, Illinois. – Stagg Field
Game Time: 1:35
Weather: Overcast and windy

SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
1. #30 Mandey Shrader - 2B
2. #21 Laura Dierking - DP
3. #9 Larkin Langston - SS
4. #13 Elaine Walker - C
5. #5 Stephanie Starr - CF
6. #12 Amie Raynor - RF
7. #44 Taylor Moore - 3B
8. #10 Logan Cahill - 1B
9  #3 Lauren Huebner - LF
10. #27 Vanessa Hartzell - pitcher
 
SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS
- Stephanie Starr was two for three with a double and two runs batted in.
- Mandey Shrader was two for four with one run scored.
- Larkin Langston was one for two with one run scored.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Chicago scored once in the second with a one out walk which was followed by a two-out stolen base and then base hit to plate the run.
- In the fifth, Chicago scored five runs on five hits and one AU error to take a 6-0 lead.
- AU got a rally started in the sixth inning as Mandey Shrader led off with a single and then back to back hit by pitches loaded the bases. With one out, Stephanie Starr doubled to score Shrader and pinch runner Shelby Jellison. A sacrifice fly from Amie Raynor scored Larkin Langston and AU cut the lead in half, 6-3.

SPARTAN LEADERS:
HITS:  Stephanie Starr and Mandey Shrader (2)
DOUBLE: Stephanie Starr (1)
RUNS: Larkin Langston, Shelby Jellison and Mandey Shrader (1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Stephanie Starr (2)                                                                                         

GAME TWO -
GAME INFORMATION – Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Score: Aurora University 5, University of Chicago 4
Records: Aurora University (25-7) vs. University of Chicago (17-6)
Location: Chicago, Illinois. – Stagg Field
Game Time: 1:27
Weather: Overcast and windy
 
SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
1. #30 Mandey Shrader - SS
2. #21 Laura Dierking - RF
3. #9 Larkin Langston - SS
4. #13 Elaine Walker - C
5. #5 Stephanie Starr - CF
6. #12 Amie Raynor - 1B
7. #10 Logan Cahill - 3B
8. #44 Taylor Moore - DP
9  #3 Lauren Huebner - LF
10. #14 Britni Wilson - pitcher

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS
- Elaine Walker was two for three with a home run, three runs batted in and one run scored.
- Larkin Langston was one for two with a double, one run scored and one run batted in.
- Cat Yanis pitched two innings to earn her first win of the season. She did not allow a hit and struck out one.
- Vanessa Hartzell earned her sixth save of the season, pitching the final two innings, allowing no hits and striking out four.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- In the third, Taylor Moore led off with a single and stole second. Lauren Huebner reached on a bunt single and then stole second to give AU runners in scoring position. After Mandey Shrader walked to load the bases and with one out, Larkin Langston hit a sacrifice fly to score Moore. On the very next pitch, Elaine Walker hit a three-run home run to left field and AU led 4-0.
- Chicago answered with three runs on three hits with one AU error in the bottom of the inning but AU led 4-3.
- Chicago tied the game in the fourth inning.
- AU regained the lead in the sixth. Langston led off with a double, Walker singled to move her to third and one out later, Amie Raynor singled in the infield and Langston scored with the eventual winning run.
- Spartan pitcher Vanessa Hartzell entered the game and shutout Chicago over the final two innings for the save and a 5-4 AU win.

SPARTAN LEADERS:
HITS: Elaine Walker (2) 
HOME RUN: Elaine Walkerl (1)
DOUBLE: Larkin Langston (1)
RUNS: Larkin Langston, Mandey Shrader, Elaine Walker, Taylor Moore and Lauren Huebner (1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Elaine Walker (3) 
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan softball team comes on Saturday, April 23 when they travel to Lakeland College. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. in Plymouth, Wisconsin.