Miami Gardens, Fla. – On Wednesday evening the Ave Maria University dropped an 8-4 decision to NCAA Division II opponent Barry University. The loss sets the Gyrenes back to 21-33 in the 2015 season with just one game left to play.

GAME RECAP
After a quiet first two innings of play, the Barry Buccaneers put up four runs in the third inning to open the scoring. RBI knocks from Christian Khawly and Jake Jacobs sandwiched two run that were walked in by AMU pitching to give the Bucs an early 4-0 lead.

Senior Bobby Oliver got the Gyrenes on the board in the top of the fifth with an RBI single to score fellow Naples native and senior Nick Sacchetta to bring the score to 4-1 in favor of Barry.

Barry picked up another run in the seventh as Greg Brodzinski doubled to center field, making the score 5-1.

In the eight the Gyrenes began to claw their way back into the game. Kellen Creech and Jake Berry had an RBI a piece off of the Barry late inning relievers to bring the score to 5-3. Pinch runner Matt Wiles scored on a wild pitch later in the inning to bring Ave Maria within striking distance, trailing 5-4.

The Buccaneers would have an answer for the Gyrenes in the bottom of the eighth. A sac fly off the bat of JC Cardenas paired with an error brought two more Barry runs to the plate. Ramon Valdez added yet another run with a single to right field, putting the game out of reach for Ave Maria.

The final score would stand at 8-4 in favor of Barry University.

Andrew Steel who allowed just one run in 4.1 innings of relief was charged with the loss for the Gyrenes and starter Jonathan Quintana earned the win for Berry. Joeanthony Rivera picked up his third save of the season, striking out three in 1.2 innings of relief.

UP NEXT: The 2015 season will conclude for the Gyrenes this Sunday as they travel up to Daytona Beach to take on the Eagles of Embry-Riddle. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and you can follow all the action live on the Embry-Riddle athletics website. For all the latest news and updates please visit avemariagyrenes.com.

By Sean Buchanan | sean.buchanan@avemaria.edu