The Aurora University Spartan baseball team needed extra innings but would prevail in the northern opener over Saint Mary's University 13-9. AU pounded out 19 hits on their way to the win.


Game Score: #22 Aurora University 13, Saint Msry's University 9 (10 inn)
Record: Aurora University (8-2)
Location: Carol Stream, Illinois - Lee Pfund Stadium


- AU loaded the bases with one out in the first but a double play ball ended the initial threat.
- In the second, SMU scored twice to take a 2-0 lead.
- The Spartans tied the game in the fourth with singles from Collin Meinert and Dominick Curcio and a double from Nico Bermeo. The Curcio and Bermeo hits drove in runs to pull AU even.
- SMU grabbed the lead back with a solo homer in the bottom of the inning.
- Another run crossed for the Cardinals in the fifth and AU trailed 4-2.
- The Spartans answered quickly to start the sixth with a new arm on the bump for SMU.
- A leadoff walk to Curcio was followed by a two-run blast from Bermeo and the game was tied 4-4.
- The Spartans were not done though as Jacob Ambuel and Justin Sartori would both single and eventually score to give AU a 6-4 lead.
- SMU would tie the game in the seventh after Justin Zimmerman gave way to the AU bullpen.
- The game remained tied 6-6 until the ninth.
- A double and two singles around an intentional walk led to two AU runs and an 8-6 lead.
- A two-out, two strike double in the bottom of the ninth allowed SMU to tie the game and send it to extras.
- In the top of the 10th the Spartan bats exploded for 5 runs.
- AU scored the five runs on four hits including doubles from Ambuel and Jett Wedekind and an inside the park home run from Justin Sartori.
- The Spartans allowed one run in the bottom of the inning but held on for the 13-9 victory.


HITTING
HITS: Justin Sartori and Nico Bermeo (4) and Jacob Ambuel (3)
HOME RUN: Justin Sartoti and Nico Bermeo (1)
DOUBLE: Jett Wedekind, Nico Bermeo and Sean Rivera (2) and Jacob Ambuel (1)
RUNS: Nico Bermeo (3)
RUNS BATTED IN: Justin Sartori, Nico Bermeo and Jacob Ambuel (3)

PITCHING:
APPEARANCES (innings): Justin Zimmerman (6.0), CJ Cazares (0.2), Carlos Garcia (2.1) and Nick Malmberg (1.0)
DECISIONS: Nick Malmberg (win, 3-0) 
STRIKEOUTS: Justin Zimmerman (9)