VIERA, Fla. - The Ave Maria University softball team concluded their time at the USSSA Space Coast Spring Games on Tuesday, playing their 14th and 15th games in the Melbourne area in the last 15 days. The Gyrenes dropped their opener to (RV) Missouri Baptist, but ended their stay on the Space Coast on a positive note with a 3-2 win over Aquinas College from Michigan. The victory gave AMU a winning record of 8-7 at the Space Coast Spring Games.

In the opening game of the doubleheader, Ave Maria grabbed the lead in the first inning, answering a Missouri Baptist run with two of their own. Annie Nudera led off AMU's offense with a single with one out, and moved to third on a wild pitch and a Ryanne Saluter single. Nudera then scored on a passed ball, while Saluter scored what would prove to be Ave Maria's final run on an RBI groundout off the bat of Marisa Michi. 

Missouri Baptist grabbed the lead with two runs in the top of the third, then added an insurance run in the top of the seventh to top the Gyrenes. Ave Maria wasn't able to get much going against MBU starter Shelby Sievers, who allowed just two hits - singles from Kayla Martinez and Cecilia Garrettt - in her last six innings of work en route to earning the win. 

The Gyrenes did have their own bright spot in the circle, as Hailee Howe was excellent in relief. The freshman allowed just one run over 4.2 innings of work, striking out two batters in just her second collegiate pitching appearance. Singles from Nudera, Saluter, Martinez, and Garrett supplied Ave Maria's offense in tge losing effort. Saluter and Ashley Nelson, who reached base once via a walk, also added stolen bases for AMU. 

For the second game in a row, the Gyrenes scored in the first inning of the nightcap, pushing a run across in the bottom of the first against Aquinas. With a runner on first and two outs, Marisa Michi kept AMU alive with a double, putting runners on second and third. Nelson then put the Gyrenes on top, hitting a bouncer up the middle that allowed Saluter to score from third. 

Aquinas grabbed the lead with two runs in the top of the second, but the Gyrenes would score the game's decisive runs with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth. Howe reached base on an error by the Saints, and Maggie Hampton made Aquinas pay with an RBI double to left field. Kylee Lewis then provided what would eventually be the game-winning hit, singling to left field to plate Hampton from second. 

That 3-2 lead would hold up thanks to a sensational relief appearance by Kaedyn Sutton. The freshman tossed 5.2 scoreless innings, striking out three hitters and allowing just four Aquinas baserunners in her seventh win of the season. Offensively, Nelson and Nudera led the way for Ave Maria, with both juniors reaching base twice on a walk and a single.

Ave Maria returns to Sun Conference play this weekend, playing a three-game series against the Seahawks of Keiser University. The series begins with a solo game against Keiser on Friday in West Palm Beach, with the final two games slated for a Saturday doubleheader.