JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball team split their final road doubleheader of the season on Tuesday, taking one of two from the Tigers of Edward Waters College in Jacksonville. The Gyrenes managed a split thanks to a 8-7 win in extra innings of the nightcap, following a 4-0 EWC win in the opener.

Edward Waters scored a run in the first inning of the opening game, and added three more in the fifth to extend their lead. Ave Maria managed two hits in the opener, which were provided by Angela Cataldo and Morgan Grimm. Cataldo also drew a walk, reaching base twice for the Gyrenes.

In the second game, neither team scored until the fifth inning, when Ave Maria grabbed a 2-0 lead. Edward Waters answered in the bottom half of the frame, scoring five runs to take a 5-2 edge. The Gyrenes tied the game with three runs in the top of the sixth, which eventually sent the game into extra innings.

Both teams scored two runs in the eighth, sending the game to what would prove to be a decisive ninth inning. In the ninth, the Gyrenes pushed across a run, and were able to hold the Tigers scoreless despite the inning starting with a runner on second due to the international tiebreaker.

Emma Thompson powered the Gyrene offense in the nightcap, going 3-for-4 with two runs batted in. Grimm, Kalie Romig, and Michella Davis all added hits as well, and Davis drove in her 34th run of the season. Brooke Pierron tossed all eight innings in the circle, and earned the win in the final road start of her career.

Ave Maria's 2019 season comes to an end on Saturday, when the Gyrenes host Southeastern University at the AMU Softball Field. Before the contests, which are scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. first pitch, the Ave softball program will honor the five members of the Class of 2019, who will be playing their final games in a blue and green uniform.