VIERA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball had their chances on Wednesday, but could not find a way to win in losses to the University of Michigan Deaborn and the University of Fort Lauderdale. Ave Maria rallied to force extra innings in an 11-5 loss to UM Dearborn, then could not find a key hit in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Fort Lauderdale at Pride Stadium at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera.

The Gyrenes had to rally from a 4-0 deficit against the Wolverines, who jumped out to a lead with three runs in the third and another in the top of the fourth. Marisa Michi started that rally in the fourth, clubbing a triple to right field. She remained on third with two outs, when Kayla Martinez drove her in with an RBI single. After Hailee Howe extended the inning, Ashley Nelson pulled the Gyrenes within a run with a two-run double to center.

The fifth and sixth innings would pass without runs, and the Gyrenes would come to the plate in the bottom of the seventh down 5-3 after a Dearborn run in the top half of the frame. AMU's rally began with a walk to Annie Nudera and a single from Ryanne Saluter. Saluter would steal second, giving the Gyrenes runners on second and third with no outs. 

Marisa Michi then proved why she is one of the clutchest hitters in the nation with a two-run single to tie the game. The Gyrenes would get the winning run to second with one out, but a flyout and a strikeout sent the game to extra innings. 

Unfortunately for the Gyrenes, Michigan Dearborn would score six runs in the top of the eighth to claim the win. Michi, Nelson, and Saluter continued to lead the Gyrenes offensively, all recording two hits in the losing effort. Hailee Howe was Ave Maria's standout in the circle, tossing 4.2 innings in her first career appearance and allowing just two runs. 

In game two, the game remained scoreless thanks to the efforts of the starting pitchers - Lily Piper for Fort Lauderdale and Maya Gonzalez for the Gyrenes. Gonzalez tossed a complete game despite taking the loss, striking out five hitters over her seven innings of work. 

Fort Lauderdale's lone run came in the top of the sixth, when a bloop single dropped in with two outs to score an Eagle run. Ave Maria had runners in scoring position in the first and fourth innings, but could not come up with the run-scoring hit to break the ice against the Eagles.

Howe was the lone Gyrene with two hits, logging a pair of singles. Saluter and Nelson continued their solid play from the opening game of the day, reaching base twice each with a single and a walk. 

After an off day on Thursday, the Gyrenes will return to the field for a repeat of their schedule from Tuesday. Ave Maria will start the day looking for a second straight win over Huntington University, then will try to finally conquer Michigan Dearborn in the nightcap.