AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University baseball team surrendered six unanswered runs in the final two innings, and dropped a 7-3 decision to the Pride of Purdue University Northwest at Bowie's Ballpark on Sunday afternoon. The Gyrenes led 3-1 over the NCAA Division II Pride, but could not overcome the late surge from the visitors.
In the first six innings, starters Noah Christopher and Alex Batistatos dominated the action, as the only run scored came from Purdue Northwest in the top of the second. The Pride took the early 1-0 lead when Brett Veltema and Hunter Thorn hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the second. Neither team scored until the bottom of the seventh, when the Gyrenes posted their only productive inning.
Ave's bottom of the seventh started with a bang, as Spencer Nelson launched an 0-1 pitch over the right field fence for his fourth home run of the season, tying the game at one. The Gyrenes then took the lead on consecutive doubles from Anier Ricardo and Justin Hartshorne, with Hartshorne driving in Ricardo for the go-ahead run. A single from Luis Rodriguez and a sacrifice fly from Daniel Caylor brought Hartshorne across the plate, extending AMU's lead to 3-1.
Purdue Northwest regained the lead in the top of the eighth, scoring three runs to take a 4-3 lead. After a leadoff single, Austin Kordik tied the game with a two-run home run, the first homer of the season for the Pride. The go-ahead run was plated following a single from Michael Woods, a wild pitch, and an RBI double from Veltema.
Three more runs crossed the plate for the Pride in the top of the ninth, providing the final 7-3 score. The runs were provided by John Cory, Kordik, and Anthony Agne, who drove in a teammate with a single, a double, and another single, respectively.
Noah Christopher produced a standout performance for the Gyrenes on the mound, but took a no decision. Christopher worked seven innings on the mound, allowing one run before the game-tying homer finished his day. Roridguez and Ricardo swung the bat well for Ave Maria in the losing effort, each posting three hits. Nick Albanese led the Pride at the plate with three hits and two runs scored, while Brandon Haczynski pitched the final 2.2 innings and earned the win in relief.
AMU will be back in action again on Monday for a doubleheader against Lawrence Tech. The twinbill marks the conclusion of a stretch of four games in three days for the Gyrenes, who have split the first two games against Doane and Purdue Northwest. First pitch against Lawrence Tech at Bowie's Ballpark is scheduled for 11 a.m., with the nightcap following 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener.
