The Aurora University Spartan softball team swept both games played on day two of the 2019 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament at AU's Bedrosian Stadium. Facing elimination in both contests, the Spartans defeated No. 1 Concordia Wisconsin 6-2 in game one before blowing out the No. 6 seed from Wisconsin Lutheran 9-2 in game two.

GAME INFORMATION – Friday, May 3
Game One Score: #3 Aurora University 6, #1 Concordia Wisconsin 2
Game Two Score: #3 Aurora University 9, #6 Wisconsin Lutheran College 2
Record: Aurora University (28-15)
Location: Montgomery, Illinois - Bedrosian Stadium at Spartan Athletic Park

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE
- The pitchers for AU, Hannah Tomasko and CUW dominated early with no score through the first four innings.
- In the fourth the Spartans struck. Ashley Pittman led off with a single and then her pinch runner, Jessika McCleskey scored on a Brianna Lewis triple. One out later, Elaine Walker laid down a beautiful squeeze bunt and when Lewis scored easily, AU led 2-0.
- In the bottom of the inning, CUW took advantage of a shrinking strike zone as Tomasko hit one and walked two Falcons to tie the game before Tomasko struck out the last batter to end the threat with the bases loaded.
- Three singles including a run scoring kind off the bat of Ashley Pittman welcomed AU in the sixth. One batter later, Brianna Lewis lined out to a diving second baseman but her throw to double off a Spartan runner went wild and Josie Lytton scampered home for the fourth AU run.
- In the seventh, AU got singles from the Josie's, Bachtell and Lytton before Mckenzie Flores doubled off the centerfield wall to drive them in and AU led 6-2.
- Tomasko went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh and AU won to advance in the NACC Tournament 6-2, while eliminating the top seeded Falcons.

GAME ONE SPARTAN LEADERS:
HITTING
HITS: Ashley Pittman, Josie Lytton and Brianna Lewis (3)
RUNS: Josie Lytton (2)
RBI: Mckenzie Flores (2)
TRIPLE: Brianna Lewis (1)
DOUBLE: Mckenzie Flores (1)

PITCHING
APPEARANCES (INNINGS): Hannah Tomasko (7.0)
DECISION: Hannah Tomasko (win - 15-3)
STRIKEOUTS: Hannah Tomasko (9)

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO
- AU fell behind quickly as the Warriors pounded out three hits to score two runs with starting pitcher Hannah Tomasko getting out of a bases loaded jam to avoid any further damage.
- With two outs in the bottom of the inning, Josie Bachtell doubled and then scored on a single from Sam Owens.
- Tomasko settled in and the AU bats continued to chip away.
- In the second and again with two outs, Heather Vetter and Elaine Walker drew walks. Nina Tholl then lined a double off the left field wall and AU led 3-2.
- Senior Sam Owens led off the third with the NACC Tournament's first home run, a long shot to right center field. After Josie Lytton reached on an error, she came around to score on a Brianna Lewis single and AU led 5-2.
- AU plated three more runs in the fourth on five singles and led 8-2.
- The Spartans didn't score for the first time in the game in the fifth but had two base runners left stranded.
- With the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, AU had a chance to end the game early. Elaine Walker was able to drive in one run with a long sac fly out.
- The Spartans would win 9-2 and advance to Championship Saturday.,

GAME ONE SPARTAN LEADERS:
HITTING
HITS: Sam Owens, Josie Bachtell and Brianna Lewis (3)
RUNS: Josie Lytton (2)
RBI: Sam Owens, Nina Tholl and Brianna Lewis (2)
HOME RUN: Sam Owens (1)
DOUBLE: Nina Tholl and Josie Bachtell (1)

PITCHING
APPEARANCES (INNINGS): Hannah Tomasko (7.0)
DECISION: Hannah Tomasko (win - 16-3)
STRIKEOUTS: Hannah Tomasko (2)
 
UP NEXT
Next scheduled action for the Spartan softball team comes on Saturday, May 4 when they host the 2019 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament. AU, the No. 3 seed, will host the No. 4 seed from Marian University in game one of the day. First pitch is set for 10:00 a.m. at Bedrosian Stadium in Montgomery, Illinois. With a win, AU would play in game one of the NACC Softball Tournament Championship at 12:00 p.m. against MSOE.