The Bemedictine University softball team (17-6, 8-2) took on Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference rival Aurora University (17-3, 10-0) on Wednesday afternoon on the road. BenU's winning streak was snapped at 13 games, as the Spartans prevailed in both contests (7-2, 8-7).

Game One

Holly Haberkorn matched AU starter Vanessa Hartzell pitch for pitch through the first two innings, but Aurora was able to get to her one inning later with a two-run one run. In the next inning, Aurora would drive in a run on a single to take a 3-0 lead.

Benedictine would get on the board in the top of the fifth, as NACC Player of the Week Sarah Koch doubled in a run to bring the score to 4-1. However, the Spartans took advantage of two BenU errors in the bottom of the inning to plate four unearned runs and build a 7-1 lead. The Eagles would tak on another run in the seventh on Jenna Boyajian's second home run of the season, but could not find any more offense in the inning.

In the circle, Haberkorn took her third loss of the season, giving up seven runs (just two earned) on seven hits and five strikeouts through 4.2 innings. Katie McKay relieved Haberkorn to toos 1.1 scoreless frames. BenU tallied just five hits at the plate, with Boyajian going 2-for-3.

Game Two

The Eagles and Spartans matched each other through the first three innings. BenU scored two in the top of the first on a Courtney Grasz single, but the Spartans would plate two in the bottom of the inning off BenU starter Eryn Pondo (one inning pitched, five hits, two runs, two earned). In the third, the Eagles plated a run on a Haberkorn single, only to be met by another run from the Spartans in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at three.

With Melissa Guzior (five innings, five hits, five runs, five earned runs) in the circle, the Eagles would shut down the Spartans offense through the six innings. In the meantime, BenU would built the lead to 7-3 with runs in the fourth and fifth. Koch drove in a run on a single in the fourth, while Boyajain (RBI single) and Shannon Fritsche (two-run double) delived for the Eagles in the fifth.

However, the Spartans would mount a furious comeback in the seventh inning off Guzior and relief pitcher Haberkorn (loss, 0.2 innings pitched, one run, one earned run), plating five runs and walking-off on an RBi single for an 8-7 win.

Benedictine tallied twelve hits in the game, with Haberkorn (3-for-4) and Koch (2-for-3) tallying multi-hit games. Fritsche, Koch, Chelsea White, adn Kailee Cable all stole bases.

BenU is back in action tomorrow at home against Wheaton College for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader. Live audio, video, and stats are available at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/benu/.