The Aurora University baseball team used strong starting pitching from Chris Roycroft and timely offense in day one of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament to earn dominating 8-2 win over #3 Dominican University to advance in the tournament.

GAME INFORMATION – Thursday, May 9
Game - Boxscore
Game Score: #2 Aurora University 8, #3 Dominican University 2
Records: Aurora University (32-8)
Location: Mequon, Wisconsin - Kapco Park

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS -
- The Spartans got the scoring started early as AJ Gill homered with two outs in the first inning for a 1-0 lead.
- With starter Chris Roycroft tossing a hitless gem at the Stars, the game remained 1-0 AU.
- In the fifth the AU bats went to work as Jeff Mayes singled and scored on an AJ Gill double. Gill later scored and AU led 3-0.
- The Spartans blew the game wide open in the sixth inning, scoring four times with the six of the first seven to come to the plate reaching base.
- With one out in the top of the seventh, Roycroft allowed his first hit in the game but maintained the shutout at 7-0.
- In the bottom of the inning, Purviance and Mayes both singled, setting up a chance to end the game by the run mercy rule.
- Gill just missed ending the game, flying out to the wall in left with Purviance scoring to increase the lead to 8-0.
- The first three Dominican hitters reached in the ninth, scoring twice as Caleb Poffenberger came on in relief of Roycroft.
- Poffenberger shut the door and AU won 8-2.

SPARTAN LEADERS:
HITTING
HITS: Jeff Mayes (3) 
HOME RUN: AJ Gill (1)
DOUBLE: AJ Gill and Davis Purviance (1)
RUNS: AJ Gill (3), Jeff Mayes and Davis Purviance (2) 
RUNS BATTED IN: AJ Gill (4)

PITCHING:
APPEARANCES (innings): Chris Roycroft (8.0) and Caleb Poffenberger (1.0)
DECISIONS: Chris Roycroft (win, 7-2)
STRIKEOUTS: Chris Roycroft (6)
 
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