AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria University baseball team lost the first game of their scheduled doubleheader with the Taylor University Trojans on Saturday afternoon at Bowie's Ballpark by a 4-0 score. The game was called after six innings due to inclement weather in Southwest Florida, and the series finale was called off.
The Trojans led from wire-to-wire in the six-inning contest, scoring a run in the top of the first. Each of the first three batters of the game reached for Taylor on a single, a walk, and another single. After a popout, Brett Lawson drove in the game's opening run when he was hit by a pitch. Gyrene starter Jared Halteman evaded further trouble by getting a flyout and a strikeout to close the inning, keeping the score at 1-0.
Taylor added a pair of runs in the top of the third, marking the game's only inning with multiple runs scored. Andrew Kennedy started the frame with a double, and moved up to third when Brian Fields flew out to right field. After Ben Kalbaugh was hit by a pitch, consecutive RBI singles from Nick Rusche and Christian McGill extended the Taylor lead to 3-0.
Saturday's scoring was concluded in the top of the fourth inning with one more Taylor run. The leadoff hitter of the inning, Josh Lane, was caught stealing at second after a leadoff walk. However, a second walk to Wyatt Whitman turned into a run following a double from Nathan Targgart and an RBI single from Kennedy. A double play concluded the Trojan threat with the lead extended to 4-0.
Ave Maria managed a lone hit on a Saturday afternoon, a fifth inning single from Luis Dominguez. Three other Gyrenes reached base on walks. The brightest spot on the mound for the Gyrenes was Andrew Roach, who tossed two innings of scoreless work and allowed just one hit in the fifth and sixth innings.
Taylor's pitching staff combined for eleven strikeouts in six innings, led by six in 2.2 innings from starter Drake Gongwer. Clay Riggins earned the win, going 2.1 innings with four strikeouts and just one hit allowed. At the plate, four Trojans recorded two hits - Lane, Targgart, Kennedy, and McGill, with Targgart and Kennedy both logging doubles.
AMU's schedule continues on Wednesday, when the defending national champion Southeastern University Fire come to Bowie's Ballpark. The Gyrenes and the Fire will play a non-conference doubleheader, with first pitch of the opening game scheduled for noon.
