AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University baseball team played their first conference home game of the season on Friday afternoon, taking on the Lions of Florida Memorial University at Bowie's Ballpark. Three runs in the final two innings proved to be the difference for the Lions, who won the first game of a three-game set with a 5-3 triumph over the Gyrenes.

The first run of the game belonged to the Lions, who scored in the top of the third.  A pair of doubles did the damage for Florida Memorial, starting with a two-bagger with one out from Manuel Mollinedo. He then scored with two outs in the frame, when Rohandry Javier doubled to right field. 

Ave Maria responded with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to take a 2-1 lead. The Gyrenes loaded the bases on a walk, a single, and a fielder's choice that saw all runners reach safely. Alex Perez tied the game with an RBI single, bringing Wilfredo Acevedo in from third. AMU then took the lead when Aidan Hickey drew a bases loaded walk with two outs.

Both teams scored a run in the sixth inning, keeping AMU's one-run edge intact heading to the final three innings. Two walks and a bunt single loaded the bases for the Lions in top half, and a fielder's choice off the bat of James Spatafora tied the game. A single and an error did the damage for Ave Maria, as Clayton Stanley scored the go-ahead run after a single from Acevedo was misplayed by the FMU leftfielder.

Florida Memorial took the lead for good with two runs in the top of the eighth. After two walks with two outs, Axel Gomez gave the Lions a 4-3 lead on a two-run double to left field. The Lions then added an insurance run in the top of the ninth, thanks to an RBI single from pinch hitter Argenis Hernandez. Hernandez's single scored Jouseph Renovales, who reached on an AMU error.

Callan Carn pitched well for the Gyrenes, working the first six innings for what would turn out to be a no decision. Carn allowed just two runs in his six innings of work, and logged three strikeouts. Krystian Negron was the winning pitcher for the Lions following a scoreless seventh inning, and two scoreless innings from Samuel Briehn allowed him to earn the save.

AMU and FMU continue their conference series on Saturday, with a doubleheader at Bowie's Ballpark. First pitch of the opener, which will see the Gyrenes attempt to even the series, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. The final game, which will either see a rubber match or an attempted sweep for the Lions, will begin roughly 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener.