AURORA, Ill. – After winning a tightly-contested first game, the University of Chicago softball team rallied back late to capture a high-scoring game two over Aurora College on Thursday afternoon.

The Maroons improved to 18-11 while the Spartans fell to 21-11.

Game One – UChicago 3, Aurora 2

An error in the top of the first inning helped UChicago grab a 1-0 lead. The visitors put runners on second and third in each of the next two innings, but were thwarted both times.

Aurora looked to have a rally going in the bottom of the third. A bunt single scored one to tie the game with no outs. However, junior pitcher Molly Moran buckled down and secured three-straight outs to limit the damage.

Sophomore second base Colleen Bennett struck the big blow in the top of the sixth with a two-run triple to right field. Down 3-1, Aurora halved the deficit with a RBI single to left in the bottom half of the inning. That would be all the Spartans would get. Moran retired the side in order in the seventh to improve her season record to 7-6.

Moran tossed a complete game with two strikeouts, two runs, seven hits and three walks. Offensively, UChicago posted nine hits from eight different players. Freshman shortstop Emma Nelson was 2-for-3 at the plate.

Game Two – UChicago 10, Aurora 7

The Maroon bats got rolling in game two, knocking 14 total hits. Junior catcher Sara Koniewicz stroked a two-run single in the top of the second. The lead expanded to 4-0 in the third thanks to senior outfielder Anna Woolery's RBI triple to right field and sophomore outfielder Maeve Garvey's sacrifice fly.

The momentum flipped right back to the hosts in the bottom of the third. Aurora scored six unearned runs with two outs, including a three-run homer.

UChicago tied the game back up 6-6 in the top of the fifth. Senior third base Maggie O'Hara drove in one with a triple down the right field line, then scored on an error.

The Spartans briefly pushed ahead 7-6, but the Maroons returned the favor. After two quick outs to start the frame, an Aurora error kept the sixth inning alive. UChicago made the hosts pay for the miscue. Sophomore first base Carly Schulz recorded a go-ahead two-run single, immediately followed by freshman designated player Danielle Allen's RBI triple to right. Nelson provided insurance with a RBI single of her own to make it 10-7.

Freshman pitcher Megan Stoppelman finished off the game from there. The rookie threw all seven innings and ran her record to 8-3 on the season. She allowed one earned run on six hits and two walks, while striking out four.

O'Hara led the onslaught by going 4-for-5 with one RBI. Koniewicz was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. Garvey was 2-for-4 with one RBI.

NEXT GAMES:

• Saturday, April 22 @ 1:00 PM (ET) – UChicago at Case Western Reserve (DH)