HARDEEVILLE, S.C.- The Ave Maria University softball team dropped a pair of games on Saturday afternoon, falling twice in Hardeeville, South Carolina to the Sand Sharks of the University of South Carolina Beaufort. The Gyrenes lost 4-0 in the opener, the product of one big inning for USCB, then fell 4-3 in the nightcap after taking a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning.
All four of the opening game's runs were scored by USCB in the bottom of the third inning. The Sand Sharks loaded the bases with no outs in the inning, thanks to walks to Mackenzie Freeman and Amber Locasto and a bunt single from Bri Dunn. After a fielder's choice cut down the lead runner at the plate, a bases loaded walk to Ashlyn Alte got USCB on the board. Devon Weller added a two-run single with two outs, and Zinia Hampleton plated the fourth run with a single of her own.
Aylin Naranjo came on in the bottom of the third, and was excellent for the Gyrenes in relief. The junior finished the game with 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just three hits to the Sand Sharks. On the other side of the field, USCB's Ally Muraskin earned the win with seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out nine.
Both of Ave Maria's hits in the opener were supplied by Kalie Romig. The speedster singled in the third and sixth innings, and stole three bases to push her NAIA-best total to 36. Miriam Padgett, who reached base with a walk, also stole two bases in the losing effort.
In game two, the Gyrenes got on the board first with a run in the top of the third inning. On the third pitch of the inning, Kayla Martinez tripled into right field to jump start the AMU offense. The next batter, Morgan Grimm, got Ave Maria on the board with an infield single that scored the sophomore Martinez from third.
Ave Maria added two more runs in the top of the sixth, taking a 3-0 lead. A single by Romig, a hit by pitch worn by Paxton Hoop, and a walk to Marisa Michi loaded the bases with no one out. Abagail Love drove in the first run with an RBI groundout, while Emma Thompson added a sacrifice fly.
Through six innings, Gyrene starter Alissa Bolinger was perfect, retiring 18 consecutive USCB hitters to begin the contest. Despite eventually taking the loss, the freshman was absolutely sensational against the Sand Sharks, striking out five hitters while allowing just three hits over 7.2 innings of work.
USCB's seventh inning rally started when Dunn reached on a throwing error, breaking up the perfect game. A bunt single from Emily Phillips followed to end the no-hitter, and Alte drove in the first USCB run with a groundout. With one out, Kaleigh Furbush tied the game with one swing of the bat, homering to left field to even the score at three.
With the game tied, the contest moved into extra innings. A runner caught stealing extinguished Ave Maria's chance to score in the top half of the inning, and USCB loaded the bases in their half of the frame. The Sand Sharks walked it off when Alte drew a four pitch walk with the bases loaded and two outs.
The Gyrenes outhit the Sand Sharks in the second game, logging five hits to USCB's three. AMU's five hits were provided by Romig, Thompson, Gracie Lopez, Martinez, and Grimm.
AMU will quickly return to the field on Monday afternoon, when the Gyrenes head to Jacksonville for a meeting with the Eagles of Trinity Baptist College. First pitch in Florida's largest city is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
