The Aurora University softball team saw their bats go quiet in a NACC doubleheader with Concordia Wisconsin as the Spartans fell 5-1 and 7-0.

GAME INFORMATION – Thursday, April 20
Game One - Boxscore | Game Two - Boxscore
Game One Score: University of Chicago 3, Aurora University 2
Game Two Score: University of Chicago 10, Aurora University 7
Records: Aurora University (21-11); University of Chicago (18-11)
Location: Montgomery, Illinois - Stuart Sports Complex

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS / HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE
- AU fell behind 1-0 in the first with Chicago getting a lead-off single that scored on a two out error.
- The Spartans loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the first but came away empty.
- AU pitcher Britni Wilson got out of jams in the second and third innings, not allowing a run while stranding five Maroons. In the third, a Maroon made the final out after singling but was called out for being out of the batters box on contact.
- AU responded with the momentum in their half of the third with a single from Elaine Walker and double from Steph Starr. Mandey Shrader then laid down a bunt single to score Walker and tied the game. After Shrader stole second, AU had runners on second and third with no outs. But the AU 4-5-6 hitters went down in order keeping the pair stranded.
- Cat Yanis came on in relief of Wilson in the sixth and allowed a two out two-run triple that gave Chicago a 3-1 lead.
- The Spartans pushed across a run in the bottom half of the inning with Walker singling in Ashley Pittman.
- AU would fall to Chicago in game one, 3-2.

SPARTAN LEADERS:- Game One
HITS: Elaine Walker and Taylor Moore (2)
RUNS: Elaine Walker and Ashley Pittman (1)
DOUBLE: Steph Starr(1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Elaine Walker and Mandey Shrader (1)

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS / HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO
- The Spartans saw Chicago score two runs each in the second and third innings to lead 4-0.
- AU pieced together a big inning in the third, starting with a two-out single from Elaine Walker. A Maroon error extended the inning with a walk to load the bases and singles from Taylor Moore (two rbi) and Laura Dierking (one rbi) came before a three-run home run from Josie Bachtell and AU led 6-4.
- Chicago scored twice in the fifth to tie the game 6-6.
- Spartan Steph Starr doubled to lead off the fifth for AU and later scored to give AU the lead back at 7-6.
- In the top of the sixth, AU pitcher Cat Yanis got two quick outs and appeared to be out of the inning as she fielded her position on a come backer. But her throw to first went astray allowed the Maroon to reach. Another AU error and five Chicago hits later, Chicago led AU 10-7.
- The Spartans managed one base runner on a walk in the final two innings and fell 10-7.

SPARTAN LEADERS:- Game Two
HITS: Elaine Walker (2)
RUNS: Steph Starr (2)
HOME RUN: Josie Bachtell (1)
DOUBLE: Steph Starr(1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Josie Bachtell and Taylor Moore (3)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan softball team comes on Saturday, April 22 when they host Lakeland University. Game one of the NACC doubleheader is schedule for 12:00 p.m. in Montgomery, Illinois.