BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University baseball team ran into one of the top ten teams in the nation on Tuesday, and suffered their first defeat of the season via a 9-2 loss to the Webber International University Warriors in Babson Park. Despite pushing two runs across, the Gyrenes did not manage a hit against five Webber pitchers, although AMU did manage ten baserunners via eight walks, a hit batsmen, and a Webber error.
After two scoreless innings, Webber took the lead for good with four runs in the bottom of the third. None of the four runs scored via a hit, with a bases loaded hit by pitch, a bases loaded walk, a wild pitch, and a fielder's choice doing the damage for the Warriors. In fact, Webber needed just one hit to score the four runs, which would be all the hosts needed in the non-conference affair.
Both of Ave Maria's runs came in the sixth inning, cutting Webber's lead down to two runs. The Gyrenes loaded the bases on walks to Daniel Caylor and Cole Rasbury, as well as a hit by pitch to Michael Signorelli. Tanner Kelly then reached base on an error, bringing Caylor home from third. After an infield fly accounted for the second out, Tynan Shahidi drew a bases loaded walk, plating pinch runner Eric Havner for AMU's final run.
Webber regained momentum in the bottom half of the frame, scoring three runs in two very different ways. The Warriors started the inning with a two-run homer from Brodey Neveker, then loaded the bases on two walks and a hit by pitch. The third walk, drawn by Tyren Milliner, brought home the seventh Warrior run of the evening.
Two more runs in the bottom of the eighth concluded the scoring for Webber. The Warriors put runners on the corners with no outs, with a single from Luis Acevedo pushing the first run of the inning across the plate. The final run of the day was provided by Kris Allen, who drove in Drake Dobyanski with a single up the middle.
Five Gyrenes reached base multiple times in the losing effort. Cole Rasbury, Tynan Shahidi, and Daniel Caylor all drew two walks, Michael Signorelli drew a walk and was hit by a pitch, and Tanner Kelly drew a walk and reached on an error. Shahidi and Kelly were responsible for the team's two RBIs, while Caylor and Eric Havner scored the runs. Kelton Little was the brightest spot for AMU on the mound, striking out two of the three hitters he faced.
Ave Maria now leaves the state of Florida for the first time this season, as the Gyrenes prepare for a three-game series against the Barons of Brewton-Parker College. That series gets underway with a Friday doubleheader in Mount Vernon. The rubber match, or an opportunity for one team to claim a sweep is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Saturday in the Peach State.
