AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria softball team split their Saturday doubleheader with the University of South Carolina Beaufort. The Lady Gyrenes won game one 6-1 before dropping game two 4-1.
 
In game one, Ave Maria struck first with four runs in the top of the first. With the bases-loaded, Alyssa Colding had an infield single to bring in Kingsley Avery. Deanna Stirtzinger followed that up with a two-RBI single up the middle to plate Sadie Mosher and Marinna Shadley. A Marissa Conde singe to score Colding concluded the four-run inning.
 
In the second inning, Colding reached on an error which allowed Avery to score to make it 5-0. Stirtzigner then reached on a dropped fly ball by the centerfielder to bring in Colding.
 
USCB got one run back in the top of the sixth to make it 6-1.
 
Avery went 3-for-3 with two runs scored in game one. Colding and Stirtzinger each finished with a pair of RBIs.
 
Mosher picked up the win in the circle for AMU, pitching six strong innings and allowing one unearned run on one hit and one walk. She struck out two. Emily Lemin pitched the final inning of the game and allowed one hit and struck out one batter.
 
In game two, USCB scored one run in each of the first two innings and then two in the third inning to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Brooke Pierron singled up the middle in the fourth the score Colding to make it 4-1 USCB.
 
Avery and Stirtzinger each finished with two hits in game two.
 
Gennifer Raulerson got the start and pitched two innings and allowed four runs, three of which were earned. Meghan Sullivan, Mosher, and Lemin combined to pitch five innings of scoreless relief.
 
The Blue and Green return to action on Sunday when they take on Thomas University at 12 and 2 p.m. at AMU Softball Field. Prior to the game, AMU will honor its four seniors.