The Aurora University softball team took on non-conference foe North Central College and swept the Cardinals, winning 5-3 and 3-2 in an important regional non-conference match-up.

GAME INFORMATION – Friday, April 7
Game One - Boxscore | Game Two - Boxscore
Game One Score: Aurora University 5, North Central College 3
Game Two Score: Aurora University 3, North Central College 2
Records: Aurora University (15-5); North Central College (12-9)
Location: Naperville, Illinois - Shanower Field

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME ONE
- The Spartans fell behind 1-0 in the first after a North Central solo home run.
- Singles from Stephanie Starr, Taylor Moore and Josie Bachtell in the fourth led to Starr scoring and tying the game 1-1.
- A lead-off double from Laura Dierking in the sixth got a Spartan rally started early. Sam Schloegl ran for Dierking and would score along with Josie Bachtell on a Lauren O'Daniell single.
- Leading 3-1, AU added two more runs in the seventh. The Spartans took advantage of two Cardinal errors and hits from Stephanie Starr, Taylor Moore and Josie Bachtell.
- North Central got two runs in the bottom of the seventh on a two-run home run off pitcher Britni Wilson.
- Wilson would win her seventh game of the season.

SPARTAN LEADERS:- Game One
HITS: Stephanie Starr, Taylor Moore, Josie Bachtell and Stacy Bellack (2)
RUNS: Stephanie Starr (2)
DOUBLE: Laura Dierking (1)
RUNS BATTED IN: Josie Bachtell (2)
WIN: Britni Wilson (7th)

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME TWO
- The Spartans took a 1-0 lead in the first with a lead off double from Mandey Shrader and she eventually scored when Stephanie Starr reached on a Cardinal error.
- AU added two more runs in the second with the big hits coming from a second Shrader double which was followed by an Elaine Walker triple.
- North Central scored once in the second with a lead off walk scoring on a double.
- In the fifth, North Central added a run with a pair of hits, a double steal and a sac fly.
- AU left a pair stranded in both the fifth and sixth innings but could not push across an insurance run.
- The Spartans and former Cardinal Kaylee Hayton held on to the one run lead and secured the 3-2 win.

SPARTAN LEADERS:- Game Two
HITS: Mandey Shrader (3), Elaine Walker and Laura Dierking (2)
RUNS: Mandey Shrader (2) and Lauren O'Daniell (1)
TRIPLE: Elaine Walker (1)
DOUBLES: Mandey Shrader (2)
RUNS BATTED IN: Elaine Walker, Stacy Bellack and Stephanie Starr (1)
WIN: Kaylee Hayton (4th)

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