AURORA, Ill. – The MSOE softball team could not get their bats going to support some solid pitching in falling to defending conference champion Aurora in two games Saturday afternoon at Stuart Sportsplex.

The Raiders (4-14, 2-8 NACC) did not get a hit game a 4-0 loss in game one, then could not support junior Shannon Curtis' strong showing in the circle in a 2-1 Spartans (22-6, 12-0 NACC) victory.

After a tough showing in game one, MSOE struck first in game two with its run in the fourth inning. Freshman Emily Snow led off with a single. Two hitters later, including a sacrifice bunt, senior Beth Young drove in a run with a single to left field.

Back-to-back errors then had the Raiders threatening for more, but a fly out ended the rally.

Aurora answered in the bottom half of the frame on a two-out single to make it 2-1.

Junior Shannon Curtis (2-6) allowed just the two runs in the game against the three-time defending champions. She was effectively wild in the game, working around six hits and six walks to limit an offense that was averaging 6.47 runs per game.

It was the second-straight start in which she controlled a high-powered offense, as she yielded just two runs at Marian Thursday after the Sabres had been averaging better than eight runs per game. Curtis has made five conference starts (six appearances), has completed all five and is 2-3 with a 1.78 ERA over 43.1 innings of work.

Snow and junior Callie Wightman finished with two-hits each in the game.

In game one, a Young HBP was the only thing to stand between Vanessa Hartzell and a perfect game. She struck out 13 hitters in the game. Meanwhile, the AU offense struck for two runs each in the first and third innings to back their ace.

Sophomore Caitlyn Moran (0-7) made the start in the opener, allowing four runs on 12 hits with a strikeout.

The Raiders are back in action at Benedictine Sunday.