The Ave Maria University baseball team could not overcome a three-run first inning, and fell 5-2 to the Reinhardt University Eagles on Friday night at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers. The loss dropped the Gyrenes to 2-2, and moved the Eagles to 5-0. The Eagles recorded 16 hits in the victory, more than doubling the Gyrene total of six.
 
All three of Reinhardt's first inning runs scored with two outs, with only one run charged to Gyrene starter Christian Dufresne. The scoring was assisted by two of the Gyrenes' four errors, all of which came in the game's  opening four innings.
 
Ave Maria pitching had difficulty with the 4-7 hitters in the Reinhardt lineup, who reached base in some way in 18 of their 20 plate appearances. The offense was led by designated hitter Jordan Carroll, who recorded a 5-for-5 outing. Left fielder Tyus O'Neil also reached base five times for the Eagles with three singles and two walks.
 
The Gyrenes scored their opening run in the bottom of the third inning, as a leadoff single from Andy Hernandez turned into a run on a single to left field by RJ Warnock. The hit was Warnock's fourth RBI of the season.
 
AMU again threatened in the sixth inning, still trailing 3-1 after five scoreless innings from Dufresne. A leadoff single from Christian Sanchez was followed by two strikeouts, but a walk and an RBI single from Jack Yvars cut the deficit to 3-2. The Gyrenes left the bases loaded, and surrendered a run in the top of the seventh.
 
Despite putting the first three runners on in the seventh, Ave was unable to score against reliever Luke Cathcart. Reinhardt tacked on an insurance run in the ninth to account for the three run victory.
 
Sanchez was the offensive standout for Ave Maria, going 3-for-5 with the run scored. Warnock also reached base three times in the losing effort.
 
Despite a quality six inning start, Dufresne took the loss for the Gyrenes, while Reinhardt starter Blake Marbut recorded the victory. Cathcart earned a three inning save.
 
The second and third games of the four game set will be played tomorrow at City of Palms Park, beginning at 1 pm. The series concludes on Sunday morning, when the Gyrenes and Eagles play an 11 am game in Fort Myers. Attendance to the games at City of Palms Park is free.