The Aurora University baseball team opened up the 2020 season with a doubleheader sweep of University of Dubuque and Spalding University at the Derby Classic in Louisville, Kentucky.

GAME INFORMATION – Saturday, February 22
Game One - Boxscore | Game Two - Boxscore
Game One Score: Aurora University 7, University of Dubuque 6
Game Two Score: Aurora University 7, Spalding University 1
Records: Aurora University (2-0)
Location: Derby City Field - Louisville, Kentucky

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME ONE vs. Dubuque
- The Spartans took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to two hit by pitches and an AJ Gill double.
- Leading 2-1 going to the third, junior catcher Jett Wedekind slugged the first home run of the year for the Spartans, a long homer to left to lead 3-1.
- Dubuque scored twice in the fourth off AU starter Carter Turnquist but AU grabbed the lead right back in the bottom of the inning.
- Colin Rivard led off with a double, moved to third on a balk and scored on a wild pitch one out later.
- Spartan Skylar Yamamoto came on in relief and threw one hit ball  over the next three innings.
- In the fifth, the Spartans added to their lead with two out bingo. A walk to Justin Sartori started the rally as he scored on a Rivard second double of the game. Rivard would later score on a double steal and AU now led 6-3.
- In the seventh, Rivard would double for a third time and scored Sartori again for a 7-3 lead.
- Yamamoto allowed two runs in the eighth before giving way to Seth Gutknecht who picked up the save as AU won 7-6.

SPARTAN HIGHLIGHTS - GAME TWO vs. Spalding
- Spalding struck first in the first off starter Kyle Blunt before a double-play and strikeout ended the frame.
- AU tied the game in the second when Paul Dobravec walked and went to third on an error in a pickoff attempt. He would score on a second Spalding error in the inning.
- Blunt then settled in and started mowing down the Spalding hitters.
- Three AU hits and three more Spalding errors in the fifth led to two Spartans runs and a 3-1 lead.
- In the seventh, AU added on. A lead off single from Austin Wiskow saw him come around and score on a sac fly by Josh Reinhardt. Jett Wedekind then walked, stole second and trotted home on a long home run from AJ Gill. AU now led 6-1.
- In the eighth, Blunt gave way to Justin Sartori. With one out and the bases juiced, a liner was snagged by Colin Rivard who doubled off the runner on third and the threat was extinguished.
- Gill led off the ninth with his second homer of the game and AU now led 7-1.
- Sartori closed the door for a Blunt win in the ninth and AU was victorious 7-1.

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan baseball team comes on Sunday, February 23 when they take on Ohio Northern University at the Derby Classic at Spalding University. Game time is set for 10:00 a.m. (cst) / 11:00 a.m. (est) in Louisville, Kentucky.