Box Score AUBURNDALE, Fla.- The Ave Maria University baseball team could not dig themselves out of an early hole, and dropped their final game of the RussMatt Invitational on Thursday, 5-4, to the Trolls of Trinity Christian College. The Gyrenes had the tying run in scoring position in each of the last two innings, but could not drive in the run to complete the comeback.

After a scoreless first inning, Trinity took a lead they would not relinquish in the top of the second. A single from Michael Moralez and a double from Hunter Slaats put runners on second and third, and a walk to Brandon Riemersma loaded the bases. The first two runs of the day were driven in by Matt Burke, whose double gave the Trolls a 2-0 lead.

Trinity Christian added to their lead in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring a run in each frame. The Trolls did not need a hit to score in the fourth inning, as Slaats walked, moved to second on a wild pich, advanced to third on a bunt, then scored on another wild pitch. The run in the fifth inning was provided by Moralez, who scored following a Will Kulcher single and an AMU error.

Ave Maria scored their first run in the bottom of the fifth, doing most of the damage with two outs. Aidan Hickey was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, but remained on first with two outs. Hickey came around to third on a steal and a wild pitch, then scored on an RBI double from Ethan Bergkamp. Trinity got the run back in the top of the sixth, scoring on an RBI fielder's choice from Sam Herzog.

The Gyrenes got a little closer in the bottom of the seventh, scoring twice to cut the Trolls' lead to 5-3. With one out in the frame, Hickey doubled and Tyler Chase drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Anier Ricardo then drove in both runners with a double, which chased starter and winning pitcher Jordan Petty from the game.

AMU threatened the lead again in the eighth, scoring one run to cut the lead to 5-4. Daniel Caylor started the frame with a single, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After two strikeouts, Kolby Blanchard drove in the run with a single. The Gyrenes got tying run to second in the ninth, but could not even the score. 

Caylor and Bergkamp led the way for Ave Maria offensively, as each player logged two hits. Christian Whitlatch worked out of trouble in each of his two innings on the mound, as two scoreless frames were posted by the senior.

Two home games await the Gyrenes on Saturday, as Cleary University comes to Bowie's Ballpark. First pitch in Ave Maria is scheduled for 11 a.m., with the second game following 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first.