Spartans Named Northern Athletics Conference Baseball Hitter and Pitcher of the Week

AURORA, Ill. March 27, 2008 - Aurora University baseball swept the Northern Athletics Conference baseball weekly awards with senior pitcher Casey Friend (Lincoln, NE/Southeast H.S.) and sophomore outfielder Tony Wellner (Minooka, IL/Minooka H.S.) being named the NAC Baseball Pitcher and Hitter of the Week.

Friend and Wellner led AU on the week in which the Spartans went 2-1 with a pair of victories over Monmouth College (19-5 and 4-2) and lost to nationally ranked Augustana College (6-5 – 10 innings). Friend threw a complete game victory over Monmouth (4-2) allowing only three hits while striking out seven and walking one. He allowed two runs, both which were unearned.

Wellner led the Spartans with an offensive explosion on the weekend, Wellner was 10-for-13 (.769) with a home run, three doubles, five runs scored and five runs batted in. His home run was his first of the season and was part of his 1.231 slugging percentage to go along with his .786 on base percentage.

Next action for the Spartan baseball team comes on Saturday, March 29, 2008, when they host Rockford College in the Northern Athletics Conference and Solfisburg Park home opening doubleheader. Game time is set for noon in Aurora, IL.

-END-