Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Benedictine University softball team reached the NACC Championship for the fifth consecutive season by taking down top-seeded Aurora 5-4 in nine innings on Friday, the 12th consecutive victory for the Eagles.

Benedictine was able to claim the victory despite only totaling five hits in the contest. The Eagles did not trail in the game, plating four second inning runs to notch the early edge. Four of the five total hits came in the inning. Sarah Koch and Kailee Cable opened with back-to-back singles. Following an unsuccessful sacrifice and a hit batter, Shannon Fritsche stroked a two-run single to put Benedictine ahead. Chelsea White immediately logged a two-run single as well.

Aurora chipped away, responding with two runs in the bottom of the second. The regular season conference champs also scored in the third to pull within a run. Aurora evened the game with two outs in the seventh. Holly Haberkorn won the game with a two-out solo homer in the top of the ninth. Haberkorn earned the win in the circle, working 2.2 scoreless innings in relief of starter Melissa Guzior.

Benedictine (31-11) will need to lose twice on Saturday to not advance to the NCAA Championships for a fourth straight campaign. The Eagles await the winner of Aurora and Concordia Wisconsin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.