The Aurora University Spartan baseball team opened the 2017 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference schedule at Concordia University Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon, earning a split, falling in game one 6-5 and winning game two 5-3.

GAME INFORMATION – Sunday, April 2
Game One - Boxscore | Game Two - Boxscore
Game One Score: Concordia University Wisconsin 6, Aurora University 5
Game Two Score: Aurora University 5, Concordia University Wisconsin 3
Records: Aurora University (11-7, 1-1 NACC); Concordia University Wisconsin (8-7, 2-2 NACC)
Location: Mequon, Wisconsin - Kapco Park

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME ONE vs. CUW
- AU fell behind 1-0 in the second after back to back Falcon doubles.
- The Spartans left the bases loaded in the fourth thanks to a pair of base on balls.
- The AU deficit grew to 2-0 in the fifth.
- In the sixth the Spartan bats came alive. A walk and four hits scored three runs and gave AU a 3-2 lead.
- A dropped fly ball to start the seventh led to three unearned runs for CUW. After seven innings, AU trailed 5-3.
- CUW added a run in the eighth with a two out single and a pair of wild pitches allowing the run to cross for a 6-3 score.
- In the ninth, Jeffrey Mayes led off with a double and a hit by pitch (Adam Lipscomb) and walk by Michael Fidler loaded the bases with one out. With two outs, Cale Sparks single to score Mayes and when Nick Turner was hit by a pitch, AU was down one at 6-5 with the bases loaded. AU was unable to push across the tying run though and fell 6-5.

SPARTAN LEADERS:- GAME ONE
HITS: Jeff LaPage (2)
RUNS: Five Spartans with one each
DOUBLES: Jeffrey Mayes (1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Cole Davis, Nick Turner, Cale Sparks and Jacob Bachio (1)
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SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME TWO vs. CUW
- AU got a run on four hits in the top of the first but left the bases loaded, ending a chance to blow the game open early.
- CUW plated a run in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run.
- In the fifth, the Spartans took advantage of a Falcon error to lead 2-1.
- The lead again didn't last long as CUW scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-2 lead.
- The Spartans would respond though in the sixth. Cole Davis led off with a single and with two outs, he scored on a home run to left from Mike Cherven. AU led 4-3.
- AU added a run in the seventh when Jeff Woods singled and advanced on an error with one out. One out later he scored on a single from Cole Davis.
- Chris Roycroft relieved Elias McMahon in the seventh and shut down the Falcons for a three inning save.

SPARTAN LEADERS:- GAME TWO
HITS: Nicholas Mathey, Jeff Woods, Cole Davis and Cale Sparks (2)
RUNS: Jeffrey Mayes (2)
DOUBLES: Cale Sparks (1)
HOME RUN: Mike Cherven (1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Mike Cherven (2)
WIN: Elias McMahon (1st)
SAVE: Chris Roycroft (1st)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan baseball team comes on Monday, April 3 when they host Dominican University. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Stuart Sports Complex in Montgomery, Illinois.