May 13, 2006

Chicago Falls to Aurora in Elimination Game

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. -- Sparked by a five-run outburst in the top of the fifth inning, Aurora University defeated the University of Chicago softball team 9-2 Saturday on the third day of the NCAA Division III Seed Four Regional at Augustana (Ill.) College.

The loss eliminated Chicago (20-15) from the regional, while Aurora (38-10) moves on to the loser's bracket final later this afternoon.

The Maroons took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Chicago loaded the bases with one out off Aurora pitcher Nicole Capone. A groundout by senior third baseman Kayti Fuhr (Taylor Ridge, Ill./ Rockridge) plated junior shortstop Jessica Mayhew (Plymouth, N.H./ Plymouth), who had singled.

Aurora tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the fourth, then exploded for five runs in the following frame. Designated hitter Abby Young delivered a two-run single with one out, before Caryssa Douglas followed with a two-run double.

The Spartans added one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh -- on a two-run home run off the bat of Kaitlin Leach -- en route to the win.

Fuhr collected her second RBI of the day in the bottom of the seventh when her groundout brought in sophomore right fielder Cassie Wierenga (Worth, Ill./ Shepard), who led off the inning with a base hit.

Capone (19-6) scattered five hits and four walks while recording four strikeouts. Chicago junior Petra Wade (Batavia, Ill./ Batavia) was tagged for nine hits and nine runs -- eight earned. Wade (19-9) walked five and fanned three.

Mayhew led the Maroons offensively in the three regional games, batting .500 (3-for-6) with a .625 on-base percentage, three stolen bases, and a pair of runs scored.

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