GULF SHORES, Ala.- The Ave Maria University softball team ran into two of the top 20 teams in the nation on Friday evening, and lost games to Faulkner University and Campbellsville University at the Gulf Coast Invitational. The Gyrenes lost to Faulkner 10-0 in the opener, and were on the losing end of a 9-1 decision to Campbellsville in the nightcap.

Faulkner scored the bulk of their runs in the fourth inning, plating six runs to break open what was a 2-0 game. Just three of the Eagles' ten runs were earned against Gyrene pitching, thanks to a pair of critical AMU errors. Ave starter Brittany Blizzard allowed just one earned run over 4.1 innings of work, but took the loss due to seven unearned runs on her record.

The lone Ave Maria hit in the opener was provided by Michella Davis, who singled in the fourth inning. AMU's only other baserunner was Kalie Romig, who walked to finish a ten-pitch at-bat to start the game. Romig also stole a base in the losing effort.

In the nightcap, a pair of big innings sunk the Gyrenes. Campbellsville scored four runs in the third and fourth innings to pull away from Ave Maria. Campbellsville was led by Aleigha Talsma, who went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, including a home run. 

Ave Maria scored their only run of the day in the top of the fifth inning, using a collection of pinch hitters to plate the run. Sydney Rogowski started the inning with a single, and moved up to second on a wild pitch. She then scored on an RBI single from Brittany Frye, who drove in the first run of her collegiate career.

Rogowski and Frye were joined in the hit column by Davis, who was the lone Gyrene with multiple hits on the day. Romig added another stolen base in the nightcap, stealing her fifth base of the young 2019 campaign. Dariyen Varner also reached base for AMU, drawing the team's lone walk.

AMU continues play in the Gulf Coast Invitational on Saturday with games against Blue Mountain College and the University of Rio Grande. The action begins at 9:00 a.m. central time against Blue Mountain, and follows with a matchup with the Red Storm.