GULF SHORES, Ala.- The Ave Maria University softball team made a major statement on Friday, sweeping their first two games at the Gulf Coast Invitational in Alabama. The Gyrenes, who increased their school record winning streak to 14 games, defeated Baker University 8-6 and beat Culver-Stockton College 9-0 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

Baker, who was an NAIA Tournament team last season and entered the contest with a 9-0 record, jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first two innings. A sacrifice fly by Lexi Lowrance provided the run in the first inning, while RBIs in the second were provided by Reynolds, Thorpe, and Musgrove. Another run also scored on an error. Ave Maria's first run came in the second inning, as a single from Paxton Hoop drove in Aylin Naranjo.

Ave Maria started to rally in the top of the third inning, scoring a run on an RBI single from Angela Cataldo. The Gyrenes then put three runs on the board in the fourth to tie the game. Christina Cataldo drove in the first run of the frame and proceeded to reach on an error. After the error, Hoop and the younger Cataldo executed a double steal that saw both runners score on another error.

After a magnificient defensive play from Kalie Romig saved two runs in the bottom of the fourth, the Gyrenes took the lead for good in the fifth. Kayla Martinez drew a leadoff walk, and moved to third on a wild pitch and a bunt. An RBI single from Melendez gave AMU a 6-5 lead, and a single from Morgan Grimm added an insurance run. 

The Wildcats cut the Ave Maria lead to one run in the bottom of the fifth on a double steal, but the Gyrenes provided the final run of the night in the top of the sixth. Romig singled, stole second, and moved to third on a Miriam Padgett bunt. Cataldo then laid down a perfect bunt, and Romig beat the throw home to supply the final margin of 8-6.

Brittany Blizzard battled through 4.1 innings, allowing just one earned run in a win. Kassandra Clark pitched the final 2.2 innings, and earned her second save of the season. At the plate, Romig, Melendez, and Hoop led the way with two hits each.

Game two saw AMU jump out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Romig drew a leadoff walk, and a walk and a stolen base by Angela Cataldo put runners on second and third with two outs. Grimm drove in both runners with a double down the left field line, giving the Gyrenes a lead they would not relinquish.

AMU took advantage of four walks in the second inning to increase their lead to 7-0. Three consecutive walks loaded the bases to start the frame, and an RBI single from Romig started the scoring. Angela Cataldo drove in two more runs with a single, and a double steal allowed Padgett to score from third. A  single from Martinez drove in Cataldo to conclude the inning's scoring.

RBIs in the fourth inning were provided by Grimm and Tatum Slate, and the Gyrenes were able to put the game away in five innings. After earning the save in the opener, Clark pitched all five innings in the nightcap to pick up the victory. Clark struck out six Culver-Stockton hitters and allowed just two hits.

Ave Maria's outing at the Gulf Coast Invitational continues on Saturday, when the Gyrenes face No. 6 Columbia College and Faulkner University in Gulf Shores. AMU faces Columbia at 9:00 a.m, and will take on Faulkner at 2 p.m.