AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball team could not complete a series sweep of the Thomas University Night Hawks on Saturday afternoon, falling in the series finale at the AMU Softball Field. After Ave Maria won both games on Friday to clinch the series, the Night Hawks were able to win the finale, 5-2, to avoid the sweep and end AMU's five game conference winning streak

Thomas scored the first two runs of the day, plating a run in the top of the first inning on an RBI single and another in the second on a sacrifice fly. Ave Maria got on the board in the bottom of the second, which started with a single from Elena Dybiec. After a flyout, Miriam Padgett ripped a triple to the right center field gap, cutting the Thomas lead down to 2-1.

The decisive runs in Saturday's game scored in the top of the fourth inning, when Thomas scored three runs to widen the lead to 5-1. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases, with another walk to Makana Pember forcing in the third Night Hawk run. The next batter, Dana Moore, accounted for the final two Thomas runs of the series with an RBI single through the left side.

Ave Maria's final run of the day came in the bottom of the sixth. Marisa Michi started the action with a single, and pinch runner Alexis Lendo put herself in scoring position with a steal. Ashley Nelson cut the Thomas lead to 5-2 with an RBI single. A single from Dybiec would bring the tying run to the plate with one out, but the Gyrenes would get no closer than three runs. 

In relief of starter Alissa Bolinger, Nelson continued her stellar pitching against the Night Hawks. After tossing 5.1 scoreless inning to earn the win on Friday, the sophomore threw 3.2 more innings on Saturday, allowing just one hit. Nelson did not surrender a walk to the visitors, capping off nine scoreless innings against a quality Sun Conference opponent. Offensively, Three Gyrenes had multiple hits in the series finale, as Michi, Nelson, and Dybiec all logged a pair of singles. 

The second of The Sun Conference's Georgia teams comes to Ave Maria next weekend, as Sun Conference play continues. The Gyrenes will welcome the Mariners of the College of Coastal Georgia, who are currently ranked tenth in the nation in the newest NAIA Coaches' Poll. The series starts with a Friday doubleheader, and concludes with a solo game Saturday at noon in Ave Maria.