HARDEEVILLE, S.C.- The Ave Maria University softball team couldn't reignite their offensive firepower from Friday, and fell victim to a no-hitter from the University of South Carolina Beaufort on Saturday. USCB scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth, which would prove to be the difference in a 2-0 decision, as the Sand Sharks avoided the sweep at the hands of the visiting Gyrenes.

For the first five innings of the contest, Ave Maria's Alissa Bolinger went toe to toe with the Sand Sharks' Taylor Florea, with the pitchers trading zeros. In her five innings of work, Bolinger allowed just one hit and three total baserunners. She struck out two, and allowed just two earned runs in 12 innings on the weekend, dropping her earned run average for 2022 to 2.29.

USCB's two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning both came with two outs. A single through the left side by Devon Weller, followed by a double from Francie Gaskin, put the Sand Sharks up 1-0. A fielding error off the bat of Addie Reynolds then allowed Gaskin to score the insurance run. 

Ave Maria managed four total baserunners in the losing effort on two walks, a fielder's choice, and a hit batsmen. Elena Dybiec drew a walk in the fifth to end a perfect game attempt, and Annie Nudera switched places with her on a fielder's choice. Ryanne Saluter was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning, and Morgan Grimm got aboard with a one-out walk in the top of the seventh.

As The Sun Conference season enters the final three weeks, the Gyrenes sit in fourth place, but just 1.5 games separate fourth place from seventh. The next opponent for Ave Maria is St. Thomas, who will host the Gyrenes on Tuesday and Wednesday in AMU's final games before the Easter holiday. The series begins with a solo game Tuesday, and follows with a Wednesday doubleheader.