AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball team rode strong pitching to a split of their Sun Conference opening doubleheader with the Keiser University Seahawks on Sunday afternoon. The Gyrenes were one strike away from a win in the opener before falling 2-1, but used a complete game shutout from Kassandra Clark to force a Monday rubber match following a 4-0 win in the nightcap. The doubleheader marked the first two games of the opening series of the season under the SUN's new three-game series format.

Annie Nudera came up with the big hit in the bottom of the third to open the scoring for Ave Maria. The sophomore ripped a triple over the head of the KU centerfielder with one out, and proceeded to score on an RBI single up the middle from Miriam Padgett. Padgett would get herself into scoring position with her eleventh steal, but was stranded following a strikeout and a flyout.

For the first six innings of the game, Ave Maria starter Alissa Bolinger was sensational, keeping the Seahawks off the board while scattering just four hits. The sophomore has tossed a complete game in all nine of her starts this season, and the Gyrenes hold a 7-2 record in those starts, and have led in the seventh inning in all nine games.

Keiser's rally in the top of the seventh came entirely with two outs. Lena Wallace drew a walk, and singled from Madison Manning and Tess McGann loaded the bases for the Seahawks. Alex Perez came through with the game-deciding hit, a line drive to right field that scored both Wallace and Manning. 

Once again, Ave Maria jumped on top in the third inning of game two, this time scoring a pair of runs. Singles from Katelynn Sebastiani and Miriam Padgett, as well as a Keiser error, put runners on second and third with one out. Marisa Michi then clubbed a single to right center, scoring both speedsters and giving the Gyrenes a 2-0 lead.

Two more runs would score for the Gyrenes in the fourth, both without the aid of a hit. Ashley Nelson started the action with a single, with a walk and a bunt putting pinch runner Alexis Lendo on third and Nudera on second. Miriam Padgett struck out for what would have been the third out, but a passed ball allowed Padgett to reach and Lendo to score. Padgett then stole second, and a Keiser error on a throw to third base allowed Nudera to cross the plate. 

Kassandra Clark posted her first complete game shutout in more than two years with a brilliant performance. The junior struck out six Keiser hitters, scattering just three singles over her seven innings in the circle. Clark also did not walk a batter in her third victory of the season. 

After the Sunday split, the Gyrenes and Seahawks will play a rubber match of their Sun Conference series on Monday, with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the AMU Softball Field.