MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University baseball team battled the number two team in the nation on Tuesday night, facing off with the Bobcats of St. Thomas University in a non-conference game. The Gyrenes were within striking distance all night long, but came up short in a 6-3 loss to the defending national runner-up.
St. Thomas jumped out to a 3-0 lead, thanks to three runs in the bottom of the second. The Bobcats loaded the bases on three consecutive singles to start the frame. The first run of the game was driven in by Erik Estevez, whose sacrifice fly brought Andrew Fernandez in from third. The lead expanded to 3-0 on a two-out, two-run double from Joey Thompson.
In the next half inning, Ave Maria answered with three runs of their own to even the score. Wilfredo Acevedo started the action with a single, and then stole second base. After an STU error and a hit batsman loaded the bases, Jared Halteman singled up the middle to cut the Bobcats' lead to one. After a walk to Alex Perez loaded the bases again, Kolby Blanchard was hit by a pitch for the third run of the inning.
The Bobcats took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth, grabbing a 4-3 lead without the aid of a hit. Estevez drew a leadoff walk, and pinch runner Gus Guerra moved to second on a steal. A flyout from Daniel Lowry sent the runner to third base, and an RBI groundout from Thompson provided what would prove to be the game-sealing run.
STU scored one run each in the seventh and eight innings to extend their lead over the visiting Gyrenes. A single from Alejandro Rivero accounted for the run in the bottom of the seventh, scoring Thompson. In the bottom of the eighth, Jack Khawly drew a leadoff walk, and came around on a steal, a wild pitch, and a passed ball.
Jeffery Cardazzone led the Gyrenes at the plate with two hits, while Halteman led the run production with two RBIs. Jack Zander was a bright spot for Ave Maria on the mound, tossing 1.1 scoreless, hitless innings with two strikeouts.
For the Bobcats, each of their five hits were provided by five different players. Felipe Soto earned the victory on the mound with two scoreless innings, striking out four of the eight batters he faced. Perez Nichols pitched the ninth inning for St. Thomas, and picked up the save after a scoreless, hitless inning.
Ave Maria returns to Sun Conference play on Friday with the first of three games against the Lions of Florida Memorial University. The series will begin at 2 p.m. Friday at Bowie's Ballpark, with a doubleheader following on Saturday.
