The Ave Maria University baseball team earned a split of Saturday's doubleheader with the Webber International Warriors, dropping two of three in the series. The Gyrenes fell in the opener 5-4, and won the nightcap 7-5.
GAME ONE RECAP:
The Gyrenes saw a 4-1 lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth evaporate, as the Warriors scored four runs in the final frame to claim a walk-off 5-4 victory. The final hit was the first time Ave Maria had trailed in the game.
The two teams traded runs in the fourth inning, which proved to be the only scoring until the ninth. The Gyrene run was manufactured in, as Rico Soto reached on an error. Soto moved to third base on a fielder's choice off the bat of Ryan Keegan, and scored the opening run on a sacrifice bunt from Andy Hernandez.
Webber answered in the bottom half with a solo home run from Ramon Sanchez.
The fourth inning was the only blemish on the resumes of starters Austin Munn and Taylor Layner. Munn worked seven innings, striking out six hitters and allowing just four hits. Layner went eight innings with seven strikeouts and four hits allowed.
Ave Maria seemingly broke through in the top of the ninth inning, scoring three runs. Soto began the inning with a single, and came around to score on an error after a Hernandez single. Hernandez then scored after a Max Nell single and a Sean Trymbiski fielder's choice.
An RJ Warnock single completed the scoring in the top half.
Unfortunately for Ave Maria, Webber answered with four runs in the ninth, all with two outs. The winning run came into score after pinch runner Derrick Pezon stole second and scored on a single by Lewis Alex Rodriguez. RBIs from Jake Frisosky, Sjaghbar Martis and Mike Castilla allowed the Warriors to tie the game before walking off.
Justin Bureau took the loss for the Gyrenes, while Bradley Burdett earned the victory.
GAME TWO RECAP:
Ave Maria scored seven unanswered runs to rally from an early 3-0 deficit and salavged a victory in the opening Sun Conference series of the campaign, winning 7-5.
Webber scored a run in the first and two more in the third inning to open up a 3-0 advantage. In the first, a single from Lenin Sanchez turned into a run after a stolen base and a single from Ramon Sanchez.
The next inning, the Gyrenes left the bases loaded, and a pair of RBI singles from Daniel Aviles and Lenin Sanchez gave Webber a 3-0 lead.
The AMU rally started in the fourth inning on a double from Ryan Keegan. Keegan was followed by Andy Hernandez, who singled and brought Keegan to the plate. Hernandez moved to second on a Matt Wiles single, but was stranded.
Ave then tied the game with a pair of runs in the sixth. Hernandez continued his hot hitting with a one-out double, scoring on a Max Nell single. The Gyrenes then evened the score on a double down the left field line from Sean Trymbiski and a sacrifice fly from Wiles.
The biggest inning came in the eighth, as the Gyrenes scored four decisive runs. Ave loaded the bases with two outs. RJ Warnock then came through with a clutch single, bringing Nell and Hernandez home.
Christian Sanchez then followed with a double, giving AMU a 7-3 lead on runs by Nell and Hernandez.
Webber was able to score twice in the ninth, but Tommy Craparo was able to finish the job for the Gyrenes. Jesse Crosno was the winning pitcher, earning his second win. Jose Serrano took the loss.
Ave Maria returns to action on Wednesday with a midweek game against Keiser University in West Palm Beach. The Gyrenes then come home for the first time for a three game set with South Carolina Beaufort at Bowie's Ballpark.
