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Box Score

AURORA, Ill. (Mar. 29, 2011) - A three-run rally in the eighth inning went for naught for the North Central College baseball team on Tuesday, as the Cardinals yielded three late runs and lost a 7-6 decision to Aurora University at Solfisburg Park.

The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for North Central (6-4), which rallied from an early deficit to move in front before the hosts bounced back.

A run-scoring single by Matt Abraham helped the Cardinals move in front, 1-0, in the top of the first inning, but Aurora (7-5) plated three runs on three hits to take its first lead of the day in the bottom of the first. The Spartans extended their lead to 4-1 before North Central narrowed the gap with twogain the lead.  runs in the sixth.

Nick Daniels and Hector Belen were each hit by pitches to lead off the sixth, and Matt Burke moved both runners along with a sacrifice bunt before Peter Romanello singled to score Daniels and Belen crossed the plate on a fielder's choice. 

Daniels also led off the eighth, coming through with a single. Burke followed with a base hit and Romanello walked before pinch hitter Brennan Hagensee ripped a two-run single to put the Cardinals back in front. Andrew Highland also drew a bases-loaded walk to send the Cardinals into the bottom of the eighth with a 6-4 advantage.

Aurora, however, took advantage of three walks, a hit batter and an error to score three times while recording just one hit to regain the lead for good. The Spartans set North Central down in order in the ninth.

Nate Arenson drew the start on the pitcher's mound and went 4 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits. He struck out three and walked one. Jeremiah Torres came on in the eighth and took the loss (0-1).

The Cardinals open College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin play on Saturday, hosting North Park University in a double header at noon.