Aurora University Athletics

The Aurora University softball team swept a NACC doubleheader with Rockford University on Saturday afternoon, winning both games by the mercy rule.

GAME ONE
GAME INFORMATION – Saturday, April 9, 2016
Score: Aurora University 10, Rockford University 0 - 5 innings
Records: Aurora University (15-6; 5-0 NACC) vs. Rockford University (1-16; 0-3 NACC)
Location: Montgomery, Illinois. – Stuart Sports Complex
Game Time: 1:05
Weather: 37 degrees
 
SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
1. #30 Mandey Shrader - 2B
2. #21 Laura Dierking - DP
3. #9 Larkin Langston - SS
4. #5 Stephanie Starr - CF
5. #13 Elaine Walker - C
6. #12 Amie Raynor - RF
7. #10 Logan Cahill - 1B
8  #3 Lauren Huebner - LF
9. #44 Taylor Moore - 3B
10. #27 Vanessa Hartzell - pitcher
 
SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS
Larkin Langston was three for three with a double, three runs batted in and one run scored.
Elaine Walker was two for two with a home run, two runs scored and two runs batted in.
Amie Raynor was two for two with a double and one run batted in.
Josie Bachtell was one for one with a triple and one run scored.
Vanessa Hartzell earned the victory, allowing one hit and struck out eight.
Angel Guerra pitched the final inning, striking out one.

HOW IT HAPPENED
With one out in the first, AU got five straight singles and a safety squeeze to plate four runs and lead 4-0.
In the second, Spartan Mandey Shrader singled and scored on a double from Larkin Langston.
AU added four more runs in the third on four hits which included a lead-off home run from Elaine Walker and a double from Amie Raynor to lead 9-0.
As the Spartan bats were producing runs, pitcher Vanessa Hartzell coasted after allowing a double to the second hitter of the game and nothing further.
In the fourth, Josie Bachtell pinch hit with a triple and scored on a ground out from Nina Tholl.
Sophomore Angel Guerra came on the hurl the pearl in the fifth and got one strikeout.

SPARTAN LEADERS:
HITS: Larkin Langston (3), Laura Dierking, Elaine Walker and Amie Raynor (2)
DOUBLES: Amie Raynor and Larkin Langston (1)
TRIPLE: Josie Bachtell (1)
HOME RUN: Elaine Walker (1)
RUNS: Mandey Shrader and Elaine Walker (2)
RUNS BATTED IN: Larkin Langston (3) and Elaine Walker (2)                                                                                                            

GAME TWO -
GAME INFORMATION – Saturday, April 9, 2016
Score: Aurora University 9, Rockford University 1 - 5 innings
Records: Aurora University (16-6; 6-0 NACC) vs. Rockford University (1-17; 0-4 NACC)
Location: Montgomery, Illinois. – Stuart Sports Complex
Game Time: 1:15
Weather: 37 degrees
 
SPARTAN STARTING LINE UP:
1. #30 Mandey Shrader - 2B
2. #21 Laura Dierking - RF
3. #9 Larkin Langston - SS
4. #13 Elaine Walker - DP
5. #5 Stephanie Starr - CF
6. #12 Amie Raynor - 1B
7. #10 Logan Cahill - 3B
8  #3 Lauren Huebner - LF
9. #23 Ashley Pittman - C
10. #14 Britni Wilson - pitcher

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS
Mandey Shrader was four for four with a triple, double, three runs scored and two runs batted in.
Laura Dierking was two for three with two runs batted in.
Ashley Pittman was two for three with one run batted in.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first, the first such inning of the day for AU, the Spartan bats awoke with one out in the second.
With one out, Amie Raynor doubled and five more hits with an error allowed AU to score five runs.
In the third, Rockford took advantage of a lead-off walk, a single and an error to score one run.
The Spartans scored two runs each in the fourth and fifth inning to bring on the mercy rule and win 9-1.

SPARTAN LEADERS:
HITS: Mandey Shrader (4), Laura Dierking and Ashley Pittman (2)
DOUBLES: Amie Raynor, Steph Starr and Mandey Shrader (1)
TRIPLE: Mandey Shrader (1)
RUNS: Mandey Shrader (3)
RUNS BATTED IN: Mandey Shrader and Laura Dierking (2)  
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan softball team comes on Sunday, April 10 when they host Edgewood College. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at the Stuart Sports Complex.