AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University baseball team split a doubleheader on Monday afternoon with the Blue Devils of Lawrence Technological University. The Gyrenes lost the opening game of the twinbill 5-2, but salvaged a split with a 9-5 triumph in the nightcap.

Lawrence Tech scored the first two runs of the first game, plating a run in the top of the first and third innings. The game's first run crossed the plate with two outs in the first, when Austin King clubbed a double to left center field, scoring Eddie Dopkowski. The Blue Devils took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single from King, which allowed Sean Fannon to score.

A pair of errors pulled the Gyrenes within a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Luis Dominguez hit a two-out single, and moved to second base when Nick Wydler reached on an error. Another error off the bat of Alex Perez allowed Dominguez to score, cutting the Lawrence Tech lead down to 2-1.

The Blue Devils extended their lead to four runs with a two-run fifth and a run in the sixth. Tyler Childs belted a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning, and Fannon drove in Lawrence Tech's final run of the game with a double in the sixth, which also came with two outs.

AMU's half of the scoring concluded in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to one swing of the bat from Dominguez. The infielder belted a home run to lead off the frame, his third of the season.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Ave scored nine unanswered runs en route to a 9-5 victory over the Blue Devils. 

For the second game in a row, Lawrence Tech opened the scoring, getting a run on the board in the top of the third. Ryan Robinette led off the frame with a bunt single, and an ensuing error put him on third base. After a strikeout, Max Cadman flied out to right field, which was enough to push Robinette across the plate.

Ave Maria responded with four runs in the bottom half of the frame. The Gyrenes put runners on the corners with two outs thanks to a walk and a fielder's choice. Alex Perez evened the score with an RBI single, and Tully Allen gave AMU the lead by scoring on a wild pitch. Rico Soto made it 4-1 Gyrenes with a two-run single, which plated Ryan Keegan and Perez.

A two-out rally allowed Ave Maria to score five more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Back-to-back errors helped Robby McMahon score the first run of the inning, and Perez followed with an RBI single after an Allen walk. Keegan drove in two runs with a double, and Soto drove in another with a two-base hit of his own.

Lawrence Tech attempted to rally with four runs in the top of the fifth inning, but the Gyrenes were able to hold off the Blue Devils for their ninth win of the season.

Ave Maria's Spring Break continues with a pair of games in Bradenton, Florida on Wednesday. The Gyrenes will match up with the Bears of Shawnee State University, with first pitch of the first game scheduled for 11:00 a.m.