LAKE WALES, Fla.  – Senior Clayton Stanley launched a two-run home run in the top of the fifth, but it wasn't enough as the Ave Maria University baseball team dropped a 7-2 decision in the opening game of a Sun Conference series at Warner University on Friday night.
 
The loss marks the Gyrenes fifth straight and moves their record to 8-18 overall and 2-5 in league action.  Warner improves to 19-11 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
 
After a pair of scoreless innings by both sides, Warner opened up a 6-0 advantage with two runs in the third and four in the fourth.  Logan Flood laced a two-run double down the left field line to make the score 2-0 after three frames.  Josh Strickland keyed the four-run fourth with a two RBI single, which followed a run-scoring base hit by Jan Martinez and an RBI fielder's choice that plated Martinez.
 
Stanley bashed his second home run of the season to drive home Aidan Hickey in the top of the fifth to get the Gyrenes on the board at 6-2.
 
Tyler Brown roped a solo shot to right field in the bottom of the sixth to account for the final 7-2 margin.
 
Freshman Ethan Wood (2-1) took the loss for the Gyrenes after allowing eight hits and seven runs, only three of which were earned, over six innings.  Erik Tovar and Kelton Little combined for two innings of scoreless relief for AMU.
 
Warner starter John Bean went eight innings to earn his second victory of the season.  He limited the Gyrenes to a pair of runs and four hits while fanning seven.
 
The Gyrenes and Warner return to the diamond for a twin bill on Saturday, March 20 beginning at 12 p.m. EDT in Lake Wales.