Aurora University Athletics

The Aurora University Spartan softball team split the opening day of the 2023 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament, hosted by AU at Bedrosian Stadium. The  #4 Spartans defeated the #5 Eagles of Benedictine University 9-7 in game one, but fell to #1 Concordia University Wisconsin 8-0 (5 inn.) 


Game One Score: #4 Aurora University 9, #5 Benedictine University 7 
Game Two Score: #1Concordia University Wisconsin 8, #4 Aurora University 0 (5 inn.)
Record: Aurora University 26-16 overall 
Location: Bedrosian Stadium - Montgomery, Illinois


Game One vs Benedictine University 
- The Eagles brought all nine to the plate in the opening frame and the Spartans fell behind 4-0.
- AU cut their deficit to one in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on four hits. Delilah Aguirre got the rally started with a two run home run early in the inning. With two outs, Jemma Fiehweg and Tyler Chambers hit back to back singles. Lexi Rayborn stepped to the plate with runners in scoring position and followed with a single up the middle to score Fiehweg.
- The Spartans tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth. Aguirre led off the fourth with a double to right center. With no outs, Jordan Seyfried laid a sac bunt down to move Aguirre to third and Jemma Fiehweg hit a sac fly to right field to bring in the tying run. 
- To start the fifth, Rayborn reached on an Eagle error and King followed reaching on a walk. Ashley Talaga moved the runners to second and third with a sac bunt and the Spartans loaded the bases after pitch hitter Shelby Linn followed with a walk.
- Faith Biggs hit a two run single through the right side to give the Spartans a 6-4 lead. 
- The Spartans added three in sixth off two hits and two Eagle errors. Fiehweg led off the inning with a single up the middle and scored on a error by the Eagles. Rayborn recorded the RBI.
- Talaga brought in Chambers on a single to second base. Thiel followed with a sac fly to drive in Rayborn and the Spartans lead 9-4 heading into the top of the seventh. 
- The Eagles threatened in the seventh scoring three runs on three hits and one Spartan error, but Rylee Campbell was able to get out of the jam.
- AU won game one of the day 9-7. 


Game One 
HITTING
HITS: Jemma Fiehweg and Delilah Aguirre (2)
HOME RUN: Delilah Aguirre (1)
DOUBLE: Delilah Aguirre (2)
RUNS: Jemma Fiehweg and Delilah Aguirre (2)
RUNS BATTED IN: Delilah Aguirre, Lexi Rayborn, and Faith Biggs (2)

PITCHING:
APPEARANCES (innings): Madelyn Buske (0.2) and Rylee Campbell (6.1)
DECISIONS: Rylee Campbell (win, 14-3) and Madelyn Buske (Save, 2)
STRIKEOUTS: Rylee Campbell (4)


Game Two vs Concordia University Wisconsin 
- The Spartans fell behind 2-0 in the bottom of the first.
- AU threatened in the third with runners in scoring position but was unable to push a run across.
- CUW added six runs in the bottom of the frame off eight hits.
- The Spartan offense was unable to manufacture any runs and fell 8-0 in five innings


Game Two 
HITTING
HITS: Delilah Aguirre (2)

PITCHING:
APPEARANCES (innings): Madelyn Buske (2.1)  and Rylee Campbell (1.2)
DECISIONS: Madelyn Buske (loss, 12-12)