Aurora University Athletics

The Aurora University Spartan softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Wartburg College on Sunday afternoon, with AU winning game one 6-4 before falling 4-3 in extra innings in game two.

GAME INFORMATION – Sunday, March 18
Game One - Boxscore | Game Two - Boxscore
Game One Score: Aurora University 6, Wartburg College 4
Game Two Score: Wartburg College 4, Aurora University 3 - 8 innings
Records: Aurora University (9-3)
Location: Montgomery, Illinois. - Spartan Athletic Park
 
SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME ONE
- After Wartburg left two on in the first inning, the visitors scratched across a run in the second to take a 1-0 lead.
- AU would not let the score stand for long though as the Spartans scored three times with two outs including a two run triple from Elaine Walker. After two innings, AU led 3-1.
- Wartburg scored the games next run in the top of the fifth with the run coming courtesy of a two out AU error.
- As they had done earlier in the game, AU answered back right away. A single from Brianna Lewis and double from Walker was followed by a sacrifice fly from Josie Bachtell and a bunt base hit from Nina Tholl. Two runs later, AU led 5-2.
- The Spartans added a run in the sixth with Bri Lewis doubling to score Jessike McCleskey.
- Wartburg threatened in the seventh, scoring two runs and having the go ahead run at the plate with one out. Spartan pitcher Steph Renner stood strong and got out of the jam for her third win of the year.

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME TWO
- The Spartans threatened in the bottom of the first inning but left two runners on.
- Wartburg then scored three times in the second on three hits including a ground-rule double off AU starter Britni Wilson.
- Wilson would find herself in jams in the fourth and fifth but both times got out unscathed and AU still trailed 3-0.
- AU finally was able to capitalize with runners being on base in the fifth. With two outs following a lead off double from Walker, Sam Owens doubled and Bryanna Perez tripled to cut the lead down to 3-2. 
- The Spartans then went on to tie the game in the seventh. Walker reached via a Wartburg error and scored on a single from Nina Tholl. 
- With the game tied and headed to extra innings, Wartburg scored a run in the eighth off AU reliever Hannah Tomasko.
- The Spartans hit three balls very hard in the bottom of the inning but all three were right at Wartburg defenders.
- AU saw their three game home win streak snapped by a 4-3 loss.

SPARTAN DAY LEADERS:
HITTING
HITS: Elaine Walker, Nina Tholl, Brianna Lewis and Stacy Bellack (3)
TRIPLE: Elaine Walker and Bryanna Perez (1)
DOUBLE: Elaine Walker (2)
RUNS: Elaine Walker (3)
RUNS BATTED IN: Elaine Walker, Nina Tholl and Brianna Lewis (2)

PITCHING
APPEARANCES (INNINGS): Steph Renner (7.0), Britni Wilson (6.1) and Hannah Tomasko (1.2)
DECISIONS: Steph Renner (win - 3-0) and Hannah Tomasko (loss - 3-2)
STRIKEOUTS: Steph Renner (4) and Hannah Tomasko (2)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan softball team comes on Tuesday, March 20 when they travel to Dominican University for the 2018 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener. The NACC doubleheader will have game one starting at 4:00 p.m. in Rosemont, Illinois at the Chicago Bandits Stadium.