BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University baseball team surrendered six runs in the first inning, and could not rally in a 12-6 loss at the hands of Webber International University in Babson Park. The midweek game between Sun Conference rivals will not count in the conference standings. 

Ave Maria jumped out to a 1-0 lead, thanks to a run in the top of the first. Tully Allen led off the game with a double, and was moved to third base on a Matt Wiles groundout. Rico Soto drove in the opening run for the Gyrenes, singling to plate Allen.

Webber responded with six runs on just two hits in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Tyree Austin drew a walk and stole two bases to advance to third, and Manny Rodriguez walked and proceeded to steal second. A fielder's choice off the bat of Luis Esteban brought the first run in. After a single to lead the bases, each of Webber's next four hitters plated runs, as the Warriors built a 6-1 lead on a Michel Dagenais hit by pitch, a Chris Medina walk, a Cristian Rivera sacrifice fly, and a two-run double from Jesse Coleman.

The Warriors stretched their lead to 7-1 in the bottom of the third. Medina led off the inning with a triple, but remained there with two outs after a foul out and a strikeout. Mark Martinez drove in the run on a single, increasing Webber's lead to six runs.

Five runs in the top of the fourth inning got the Gyrenes back into the game. Three consecutive AMU hitters - Robby McMahon, Nick Wydler, and Steven Valentine were hit by pitches. Luis Dominguez drove in the first two with a single, and a bunt single from Alex Perez re-loaded the bases. After a popout, Matt Wiles drew an RBI walk and Ryan Keegan drilled a two-run single to cut the Webber lead to 7-6.

Another two-out hit helped the Warriors increase their lead to 9-6 in the bottom of the fourth. Rodriguez hit a one-out triple, and Marcus Begg was intentionally walked with two outs. After Begg stole second, Dagenais drove in both runners with a single down the right field line.

Webber put the game away with three runs in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on a two-run single from Martinez and a sacrifice fly from Rodriguez.

Keegan and Dominguez led the Gyrenes at the plate with two hits and two runs batted in apiece. Ave Maria outhit Webber 10-9, despite the loss. Joe Soto and Andrew Giddens were bright spots on the mound, with both pitchers tossing scoreless frames.

The Gyrenes officially begin Sun Conference play on Friday, when the Warner University Royals come to town for a three-game series. The first game is scheduled for Friday at 2:00 p.m., with a doubleheader to follow on Saturday.