AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball team came up short in a pair of games against NCAA Division II Lindenwood University on Monday afternoon at the AMU Softball Field. The Gyrenes dropped 3-0 and 11-2 decisions against the Lions, who moved to 10-4 on the season.

AMU starter Brittany Blizzard kept the Gyrenes in the game during the opener, but was outdueled by Lindenwood's Stormee Galka in a 3-0 decision. Blizzard tossed a complete game, allowing just two earned runs. The freshman kept escaping major damage against the Lions, stranding ten runners on base and keeping AMU within striking distance.

Lindenwood's first two runs crossed the plate in the top of the third inning, which started with a triple from Galka. Galka then scored on a sacrifice fly from Hanna Porter. An error and an RBI single from Caitlyn Touchette brought in the second run of the frame in the person of Courtney Klosinski.

The Lions added an insurance run in the top of the fifth, scoring with two outs in the inning. Porter singled with one out, and pinch runner Kayla Scholz stole second with two outs. Scholz scored on a double to left field from Touchette, who drove in her second run of the day to supply the final run.

Ave's three hits in the losing effort were provided by Dariyen Varner, Genevieve Twigg, and Abby Love. Varner and Love doubled for their hits, while Twigg provided a single. AMU's only other baserunner came on a walk to Sydney Rogowski. Lindenwood was led in the opener by Touchette, who went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

In the nightcap, Lindenwood scored runs in four of the game's five innings to claim the nine-run victory. The Lions jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, and added four runs in the second. Lindenwood scored twice in both the fourth and fifth innings to secure the shortened victory.

Ave Maria's run production started in the bottom of the first inning, as the Gyrenes were able to cut the LU lead to two runs. Kalie Romig started the inning with a single, and eventually wound up on third base after two steals. With one out, Michella Davis drove in the AMU leadoff hitter with a sacrifice fly to left field.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Gyrenes scored their final run of the day, thanks to Davis. The senior catcher blasted her second home run of the season, and the ninth of her career, to cut the Lindenwood lead to 7-2. Davis' home run tied her for the team lead, as both her and Varner have hit two on the season. On the game, Angela Cataldo was Ave Maria's offensive standout, going 2-for-2.

The Gyrenes are right back on the field on Tuesday for a pair of games with the Knights of Queens College from New York. The games will be played at Barry University, with first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in Miami Shores.