The Aurora University softball team swept an important NACC doubleheader with Benedictine at Bedrosian Stadium with the offensive coming alive and a shutout effort in game two from Spartan pitcher Hannah Tomasko.

GAME INFORMATION – Wednesday, April 17
Game One Score: Aurora University 9, Benedictine University 4
Game Two Score: Aurora University 8, Benedictine University 0 - 6 innings
Records: Aurora University (17-13 overall and 9-5 in the NACC); Benedictine University (22-10 overall and 8-6 in the NACC)
Location: Montgomery, Illinois - Bedrosian Stadium at Spartan Athletic Park
 
SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME ONE
- Elaine Walker got the scoring started in the bottom of the first, hitting the second pitch she saw over the left field fence.
- After BU tied the game in the top of the second, AU scored three times in the bottom of the second. Pinch hitter Bryanna Perez drove in the go ahead run and then Nina Tholl had a two run single to right center for the 4-1 AU lead.
- Sam Owens led off the third with a solo home run to left field and the Spartans led 5-1.
- In the bottom of the fifth, the Spartans threatened to end the game with the mercy rule, loading the bases with one out. But a fly out to left became a double play when a Spartan base runner was thrown out trying to score.
- A three-run BU home run in the sixth, tightened the game to 5-4.
- The AU bats answered in support of pitcher Stephanie Renner, scoring four times in the bottom of the inning. Sam Owens hit a two-run double down the right field line and Josie Lytton followed with a two-run single for the AU scoring.
- Renner made the lead hold up as AU won game one, 9-4.

TOP PERFORMERS - GAME ONE
HITS: Sam Owens and Josie Lytton (3)
RUNS: Sam Owens and Elaine Walker (1)
RBI: Sam Owens (3)
HOME RUN: Sam Owens and Elaine Walker (1)
DOUBLE: Sam Owens (2) and Mckenzie Flores (1)
WIN: Stephanie Renner (8-9)
STRIKEOUTS: Stephanie Renner (7)

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME TWO
- With no score heading into the bottom of the fourth in a pitchers dual, Sam Owens hit a long home run to right center field for a 1-0 AU lead.
- AU put up a big crooked number in the fifth inning, scoring six times on seven hits. Elaine Walker hit a two run homer to left and Mckenzie Flores cleared the bases with a three-run double off the center field wall.
- Hannah Tomasko kept the BU bats silenced, allowing her offense to send the teams home early.
- In the sixth, Walker doubled with one out and later in the inning, Sam Owens hit a ball down the left field line and when the BU leftfielder was unable to make a catch after a long run, Nina Tholl came around to score the game ending run.
- AU sent the crowd home happy with an 8-0 win in six innings.

TOP PERFORMERS - GAME TWO
HITS: Elaine Walker and Sam Owens (2)
RUNS: Eight Spartans (1)
RBI: Mckenzie Flores (3), Sam Owens and Elaine Walker (2)
HOME RUN: Sam Owens and Elaine Walker (1)
DOUBLE: Mckenzie Flores and Elaine Walker (1)
WIN: Hannah Tomasko (9-3)
STRIKEOUTS: Hannah Tomasko (3)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan softball team comes on Saturday, April 20 when they host Dominican University in a NACC doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 12:00 p.m. in Bedrosian Stadium at Spartan Athletic Park.