AURORA, Ill. -- Although the Alverno College softball team managed to hold a tough Aurora University squad to just three runs in the opening game of its Northern Athletics Conference doubleheader with the Spartans, the Inferno's offense was unable to capitalize as they were held scoreless en route to a pair of 3-0, 8-0 losses on Thursday afternoon in Aurora, Ill.

The Inferno (2-10, 0-6 NAC) successfully held Aurora below its average of 6.87 runs scored per game, which currently ranks as the second-highest run average in the league, but responded with just two hits in the first game on singles by senior catcher Rebecca Schmid (Tigerton, Wis.) and sophomore shortstop Megan Burgess (Racine, Wis./Park). Aurora's pitching ace, Anna Synder, was the root of the Inferno's batting woes, racking up 15 strikeouts.

After playing error-free defense in the first game, Alverno picked up three defensive miscues in the second game resulting in two unearned runs. Those errors coupled with 11 hits by the Spartans sealed the lead for Aurora after five innings as Alverno was yet again unable to find consistency on offense, tallying four hits in the game.

Despite those snags at the plate, Schmid has continued to be a bright spot for her team as she has registered at least one hit in all but one of the Inferno's last 11 games.

Junior pitcher Jessica Goetz suffered the pair of losses in the circle for Alverno, giving up 18 hits with just one strikeout in both games.

The Inferno will look for its first NAC victory of the season when they face Concordia University Chicago for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. in River Forest, Ill.