The Aurora University baseball team played opened up conference play on Saturday at home against Lakeland University. The Spartans came out in game with a statement piece 27-9 win, then continued on with the offense in game two with a 14-10 win to complete the sweep.


Game One Score: Aurora University 27 ; Lakeland University 9 - 7 innings
Game Two Score: Aurora University 14 ; Lakeland University 10
Record: Aurora University 9-7 overall and 2-0 in the NACC ; Lakeland University 6-10 overall and 0-2 in the NACC
Location: Jim Schmid Field, Montgomery, Illinois


Game One:
- The Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with three hits including a run scoring double from Kyle Mack.
- Lakeland took a 4-2 lead after the top of the second, getting five hits off AU starter Conner Hogan as they scored the four runs.
- AU answered right back with a three-run bottom half of the inning with Zach Tarrant scoring a pair on his double.
- The Spartans added three more in the third with a three-run home-run from Isaac Wendler.
- AU blew open the game in the fourth, scoring seven times on seven hits including a two-run home run from Joe Lukancic.
- The Spartans hit for the cycle as a team in the inning as well.
- AU again hit for the cycle in the fifth inning, scoring seven more runs and led 22-4.
- Isaac Goddard hit a two-run homer in the frame.
- In the sixth, Wendler homered for a second time and Ethan Flores hit a three-run blast in his first collegiate at bat.
- AU led 27-4 going to the seventh.
- Lakeland plated some runs in the top of the seventh but AU won by mercy rule 27-9.

Game Two
- AU jumped out early again in the second game with a two run first inning.
- After Lakeland scored once in the second, the Spartans added a pair more in the bottom.
- Tarrant double in a run in the second for one of the AU runs.
- Lakeland tied the score in the third thanks to three walks and an error.
- Ryan Buck and Nick Czarnecki hit back to back doubles to start the bottom of the third for AU who would score four times and lead 8-4.
- Three walks and a hit by pitch helped the Spartans add three more runs in the fourth for an 11-4 lead.
- The Spartans added two more runs in the fifth and continued their scoring streak for the 11th consecutive inning.
- Lakeland plated one run in the sixth and then held the Spartans scoreless for the first time all day in the bottom of the inning.
- The visitors then made a game of the contest when they scored five times thanks to five walks in the seventh.
- Heading to the eighth, AU led 13-10.
- Edgar Barba came on in relief for AU and locked down the final several innings for a save.
- Goddard homered in the eighth and AU would go on to win 14-10.


Game One
Hitting
HITS: Joe Lukancic, Kyle Mack, Isaac Goddard, and Ryan Buck (3)
DOUBLES: Zack Tarrant and Kyle Mack (2)
TRIPLES: Jaden Holgado and Matthew Washington
HOME RUNS: Isaac Wendler (2)
RUNS: Joe Lukancic, Kyle Mack, Jaden Holgado, Matthew Washington, and Isaac Goddard (3)
RUNS BATTED IN: Isaac Wendler (4)
 
PITCHING:
APPEARANCES (innings): Conner Hogan (5.0), Cory Macke (1.0), and Jimmy Bluemling (1.0)
DECISIONS: Conner Hogan (win, 4-1)
STRIKEOUTS: Conner Hogan (5), and Cory Macke (2)
 
Game Two
HITS: Joe Lukancic (4)
DOUBLES: Ryan Buck (2)
HOME RUNS: Isaac Goddard (1)
RUNS: Joe Lukancic, Kyle Mack, and Isaac Goddard (3)
RUNS BATTED IN: Isaac Goddard and Nick Czarnecki (3)

PITCHING:
APPEARANCES (innings): Drew Piaskowy and Jacob Maza (3.0)
DECISIONS: Jacob Maza (win 1-0) and Edgar Barba (save, 2)
STRIKEOUTS: Drew Piaskowy and Jacob Maza (4)


Next scheduled action for the Spartan baseball team comes on Monday March 25 when they take on Benedictine University. First pitch is set for 12:00 pm with game two following directly after in Lisle, Illinois.