AU softball stays alive in NCAA tourney

The Aurora University Spartan softball team avenged two early season losses against North Central College Cardinals with an 8-0 victory in five innings in an elimination game at the 2008 NCAA Division III Softball Championships in Eau Claire, Wis.

AU sophomore pitcher Anna Snyder (23-4) made quick work of the Cardinals in the top of the first inning, striking out the first two Cardinals before getting a fly out to right to end the inning.

Offensively the Spartans had 10 hits from seven different players. Beenes was 2-for-2 with a double, two runs batted in and one run scored, Mueller and Martin were both two for three with a double, one run batted in and one run scored. Veen was one for two with two runs scored and Cebular was one for three with a double and two runs batted in.

North Central could only muster up three hits off Snyder, two being doubles from Reid and Loeffel and a single by Knoll. All three Cardinals were one for two in the game.

With the win, AU improves to 36-7 on the season, while North Central's season concludes with a 29-12 mark.

The Spartans will take on Simpson College at noon today.

Waubonsee 7, Rock Valley 2 -- Mike Ray had four hits as the Chiefs (23-28) advanced at the NJCAA Region IV Division III Tournament. Jordan Kohler had three hits and an RBI for Waubonsee and Nick Golich two hits and two RBIs. Jerry Hernandez tossed four innings of one-hit relief to pick up the win, while Derek Kopko earned his eighth save to tie Shaun Neitzel's 1993 school record.

Waubonsee will move on to play Joliet at 1 p.m. today.

West Aurora singles player Lauren Henry won three matches at the State Badminton Meet in Charleston. Henry won her first-and-second round matches, over Stevenson's Alexis Karigan (21-6, 21-13) and Naperville Central's Michelle Wang (21-13, 21-16). Henry lost her third round match to Lincoln-Way Central's Kelly Byar, but beat Wheaton Warrenville South's Mel List in the consolation fourth round.

All other Beacon News area athletes were eliminated on the first day. West's Alexis Fox and Karina Diaz lost their opening round match, won a consolation round match before falling in the consolation bracket. West's Emily Kuntzi and Alicia Hizel won their first match before falling twice. East Aurora's Janey Villa and Melissa Valenzuela lost their first match, won their second and lost their third. And Oswego's Jessika Bajorski and Crystil Garrett won their first match and dropped their next two.

Oswego 10, IMSA 0 -- Brad Leman and Andrew Runyon combined on a two-hitter for Oswego, with Ryan Prinzing leading the way at the plate with three hits and three RBIs.

Plano 10, Manteno 7 -- Winning pitcher Kevin Day had two hits and three RBIs, while Chris Martinez had three hits and an RBI.

Manteno 13, Plano 2 -- Nora Ocon had a two-run homer for Plano.

St. Edward 7, Rosary 3 -- Andi DeKing homered for Rosary.

Glenbard North 5, West Aurora 0 -- Allison Hoffman, Stephanie Becker and Devin Vaughn had two hits apiece for West.

IMSA 3, Aurora Central 0 -- At the Naperville Central Regional, Leslie Martin had two goals and Jessina Thomas added a goal for IMSA.

Naperville Central 13, Waubonsie Valley 7 -- At the Neuqua Valley Sectional Semifinal, Waubonsie Valley was led by Jeff Sellers with three goals with Anthony Conti and Jim Zuponeck each addeding two goals.

Neuqua Valley 11, Waubonsie Valley 7 -- Allison Szott led Waubonsie Valley with four goals and Tyler Crittenden added two goals as the Warriors fell at the Neuqua Valley Sectional. Area Roundup