The Millikin Big Blue opened their home season with a doubleheader against Aurora University Spartans, splitting the day with a 5-1 win in game one before falling 4-3 in game two.
Game 1 – Millikin 5, Aurora 1

Millikin struck first when Ty Cribbett singled to bring home Leyton Ivers for the early lead. Aurora answered with a run in the third, but the Big Blue regained control in the fifth inning. Carder Reich delivered a clutch double down the left field line, clearing the bases and driving in three runs to give Millikin a commanding lead. Reich added a sacrifice fly in the eighth to score Easton Steck and seal the 5-1 victory.

Ivers went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Reich also finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs. On the mound, Caleb Akins earned the win after pitching seven strong innings, allowing four hits and striking out four. Nolan Reiman closed the door in the eighth, recording a save with one hit and one strikeout.

Game 2 – Aurora 4, Millikin 3

Aurora broke through in the fourth inning with a double that plated the game's first run. The Spartans added three more in the eighth to extend their lead to 4-0.

Millikin rallied in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three runs to make it a one-run game. Cribbett singled to score Pete Britton, and Steck followed with a double through the left side, bringing home both Cribbett and Britton. The comeback effort ultimately fell just short as Aurora held on for the 4-3 win.

Matthew Brummer started on the mound, throwing seven innings while allowing three hits, one run, and striking out four. Jayden McNaught pitched the eighth, recording one strikeout while allowing three hits and three runs. Joey Ross made his collegiate debut in the ninth, tallying one strikeout and allowing three hits.

Millikin returns to action tomorrow with another doubleheader against Illinois College.