The Ave Maria University baseball team lost its home opener Friday afternoon, dropping a 2-0 pitcher's duel to USC-Beaufort at Bowie's Ballpark. The Gyrenes did not allow a run in the final five innings of the game, but could not push any runs across against Sand Shark pitching.
 
The Sand Sharks got the scoring going in the top of the first inning with two outs. Thomas Estopare singled, and proceeded to steal second base. Cleanup hitter Kal Davis then followed with a bouncing single up the middle, which allowed Estopare to score from second to score the first run of the contest, a run that would hold up.
 
USC-Beaufort added another run in the top of the fourth inning.
Catcher Nick Payne drilled a double to deep center field with one out.
After a groundout, the Sand Sharks brought their second run in on an infield single from Josh Reinhart. Reinhart dove into the first base bag to beat the force.
 
Gyrene pitching did not allow a run from that point on. Starter Christian Dufresne and relievers Matt Harris and Bruno DeZayas pitched well, keeping USC-Beaufort at bay.
 
However, Ave Maria's bats were stymied by Sand Shark lefty John Gora, who allowed five hits over eight innings of work. Gora picked up the victory for USC-Beaufort, while Dufresne took a tough loss. The Gyrenes threatened in the fourth and sixth innings, putting runners on first and second, but could not produce the run-scoring hit. Rico Soto led the AMU offense with two hits and a walk, reaching base three times in four plate appearances.
 
The Gyrenes and Sand Sharks finish their Sun Conference series Saturday morning at Bowie's Ballpark with a doubleheader. The opening pitch of the second game of the series is set for 11 a.m. in Ave Maria.