The Aurora University softball team rallied in game one from a late 8-0 deficit to win 9-8 and carried the momentum into game two to win 9-1 in five innings and sweep the visiting Cougars of Concordia University Chicago.

GAME INFORMATION – Sunday, April 2
Game One - Boxscore | Game Two - Boxscore
Game One Score: Aurora University 9, Concordia University Chicago 8
Game Two Score: Aurora University 9, Concordia University Chicago 1 - 5 innings
Records: Aurora University (13-5, 4-0 NACC); Concordia University Chicago (10-9, 1-3 NACC)
Location: Montgomery, Illinois - Stuart Sports Complex

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME ONE
- The Spartans and Cougars played a 0-0 game through three innings with both teams having scoring chances.
- In the fourth, AU saw walks and errors (two) allow Concordia to score eight runs, all coming after two outs.
- Facing the potential for a 8-0 mercy rule ending, AU came to hit in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Elaine Walker singled in Abbey Rosenow who had reached on a single, continuing the game.
- With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the sixth, Kaylee Hayton came on in relief of reliever Angel Guerra and got out of the jam, keeping the deficit at 8-1.
- The Spartan bats awoke in the sixth. Eight hits from 13 hitters scored seven runs and the game was tied 8-8.
- Concordia threatened in the top of the seventh but Hayton held the Cougars scoreless.
- In the bottom of the seventh, Ashley Pittman led off with a double to left. Lauren Wencewicz pinch ran and moved to third on a sac bunt from Stacy Bellack. With two outs and an intentional walk to Walker, Steph Starr stepped to the plate. Starr singled up the middle giving AU the 9-8 come from behind win.

SPARTAN LEADERS:- Game One
HITS: Steph Starr and Ashley Pittman (3)
RUNS: Nine Spartans scored one run each
DOUBLES: Josie Bachtell and Ashley Pittman (2)
RUNS BATTED IN: Elaine Walker and Steph Starr (2)
WIN: Kaylee Hayton (3rd)

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME TWO
- The Spartans survived the first inning against Concordia as they allowed a pair of walks but were stranded.
- AU started their offensive part of game two where they finished game one, hitting and hitting a lot. The Spartans scored three first inning runs on three hits including adouble from Laura Dierking.
- Three more hits followed in the second with the now 4-0 AU lead.
- Concordia plated a run in fourth with a pair of doubles.
- The top of the AU lineup produced in the bottom of the fourth. Mandey Shrader led off with a single and stole second. She then scored on a Elaine Walker single. Steph Starr followed with a two-run home run and AU led 7-1. AU continued in the inning but would leave the bases loaded as all nine Spartans batted.
- AU called on the mercy rule in the fifth with Shrader walking and stealing second to lead off the inning. Walkr
er the hit a home run to left to end the game and give the Spartans a 9-1 victory.

SPARTAN LEADERS:- Game Two
HITS: Elaine Walker (3), Mandey Shrader and Laura Dierking (2)
RUNS: Mandey Shrader and Elaine Walker (3)
HOME RUN: Elaine Walker and Steph Starr (1)
DOUBLES: Josie Bachtell and Laura Dierking (1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Elaine Walker (3), Laura Dierking and Steph Starr (2)
WIN: Britni Wilson (6th)

UP NEXT