The Aurora University softball came out swinging to open conference play, picking up two big wins over Wisconsin Lutheran on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans rolled to a 10–2 run-rule win in Game 1 and followed it up with a solid 9–5 victory in Game 2 to complete the sweep.
Game One Score: Aurora University 10, Wisconsin Lutheran College 2 - 6 innings
Game Two Score: Aurora University 9, Wisconsin Lutheran College 5
Record: Aurora University 12-6 overall 2-0 NACC; Wisconsin Lutheran College 6-11 overall, 1-3 NACC
Location: Bedrosian Stadium - Montgomery, Illinois
Game One
- After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first, Aurora wasted no time responding. The Spartans put up five runs in the bottom of the second, sparked by a triple from
Stephani DeBise and a clutch three-RBI double off the bat of
Nina Richards, who led the team with four RBIs on the day.
-
Alex Thiel capped the inning with an RBI single to give Aurora the lead.
- Aurora kept the momentum going in the third, adding three more runs.
Mia Rivera, who went 4-for-5 at the plate, delivered an RBI single, while Richards continued her big day with another run-scoring hit. A sacrifice fly from
Angie Delgado made it 8-2.
- The Spartans added insurance in the fifth and sixth innings with RBI hits from
Carly Clemens and
Arianna Anderson, closing the game via the run rule.
- On the mound,
Katelyn Serafin was dominant, tossing a complete game while allowing just five hits, no walks, and striking out six. With the win, she improved to 6-3 on the season.
Game Two
- Aurora jumped on Wisconsin Lutheran early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first.
Angie Delgado drove in two runs with a double before
Stephani DeBise followed with a two-run home run to right field to make it 4–0.
- Wisconsin Lutheran chipped away with a run in the second and two more in the third, but Aurora answered back with two in the fourth. Delgado again came through, this time with a two-RBI triple to extend the Spartan lead to 8–3.
- The Spartans added one final run in the fifth when
Kelsey Oviatt knocked in
Alex Thiel with a double to left center.
- Delgado led the offense with four RBIs on two extra-base hits, while
Aubrey Ortiz sparked the top of the lineup, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored.
Mia Rivera added two hits, an RBI, and a stolen base.
- Wisconsin Lutheran scored two late runs in the seventh, but the early Aurora offense proved too much to overcome.
Game One
HITTING
HITS: Mia Rivera (4),
Aubrey Ortiz,
Nina Richards, and
Carly Clemens (3)
RUNS: Aubrey Ortiz and
Stephani DeBise (2)
RUNS BATTED IN: Nina Richards (4)
DOUBLE: Nina Richards and
Carly Clemens (1)
TRIPLE: Stephani DeBise (1)
PITCHING:
APPEARANCES (innings): Katelyn Serafin (6.0)
DECISIONS: Katelyn Serafin (win, 6-3)
STRIKEOUTS: Katelyn Serafin (6)
Game Two
HITTING
HITS: Aubrey Ortiz (3),
Mia Rivera and
Angie Delgado (2)
RUNS: Aubrey Ortiz (3) and
Mia Rivera (2)
RUNS BATTED IN: Angie Delgado (4)
DOUBLE: Mia Rivera,
Angie Delgado,
Alex Thiel, and
Kelsey Oviatt (1)
TRIPLE:
Angie Delgado (1)
HOME RUN: Stephani DeBise (1)
PITCHING:
APPEARANCES (innings): Madelyn Buske (7.0)
DECISIONS: Madelyn Buske (W, 4-3)
Next action for the Spartan softball team comes on Sunday, March 30 when they travel to Concordia University Chicago. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at River Forest, Illinois.