GAME STATS 1 | GAME STATS 2 PICTURED ABOVE: Alyssa Leonard collected two hits and scored the game-winning run in Wheaton's 1-0 victory.

Wheaton, Ill. – The Thunder softball team took advantage of a warm day on Friday and hosted Aurora University (3-7) for a non-conference doubleheader at Wheaton's Ruth Leedy Field. Aurora topped the Thunder 11-1 in five innings to win game-one; however, Wheaton earned a 1-0 victory in the nightcap to split the twinbill. Wheaton (9-3) is scheduled to host Benedictine University on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Leedy Field.

Wheaton earned the 1-0 victory in today's second game as the Thunder scored one run, on nine hits, with two errors and the Spartans had no runs, on eight hits, with two errors. Thunder freshman Abby Butler (6-0) earned the win in seven innings of work. Butler scattered eight hits, struck out one and allowed no walks. Alyssa Leonard was 2-for-3 in the game with one run scored. Abby Coster was 2-for-3 in the win and sophomore Katie Yergler was 2-for-4.

Wheaton and Aurora battled through five scoreless innings in the second game. Wheaton scored the game's lone run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Leonard led the bottom of the sixth inning off with a single and she advanced to second base on a sacrifice by Emily Bonga. A RBI-single by pinch hitter Jeannie Vest brought a hard-charging Leonard across the plate for the go-ahead run. Leonard's run is all Wheaton would need to earn the 1-0 victory.

The doubleheader opened with an 11-1 Aurora victory as the Spartans scored 11 runs, on 14 hits, with one error and Wheaton plated one run, on three hits, with one error. Sophomore Katie Thornton (2-3) took the loss in four innings in the circle. Thornton allowed eight runs, including five earned runs, on 10 hits, with three walks and three strikeouts. Marissa Voss pitched one inning of relief, allowing three runs, on four hits with one walk and a strikeout.
Jessica Goeke was 1-for-2, with a walk and Wheaton's lone run in the game. Christina Sandstedt and Abby Coster each collected singles to account for Wheaton's three hits in the game.
Goeke scored for Wheaton on a passed ball in the bottom of the first inning. Aurora tied the game at 1-1 with a run in the top of the second inning. The Spartans took a 3-1 lead thanks to a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. Aurora broke the game open with five runs in the top of the fourth inning and the guests added three more runs in the top of the fifth inning to account for the 11-1 final score.