PEMBROKE PINES, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball team claimed their second consecutive Sun Conference series on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader with the Lions of Florida Memorial University at Broward College South in Pembroke Pines. The Gyrenes rolled to a series-clinching 8-1 win in the opener, while Florida Memorial avoided the sweep with a 4-3 win in the nightcap.

The Gyrenes built their lead slowly in the first game of the doubleheader, scoring one run in each of the first two innings. AMU jumped on top with two outs in the first inning, as Marisa Michi doubled, then scored on an RBI single from Ashley Nelson. The Gyrenes again got on the board with two outs in the second inning, when Maggie Hampton, who had reached on a fielder's choice, scored from second on an RBI single from Cecilia Garrett. 

After a scoreless third inning, the Gyrenes added to their lead in the top of the fourth. Annalise Anderson provided the initial spark for Ave Maria, clubbing a triple to deep right field that scored pinch runner Kayla Martinez from second. An error off the bat of Garrett allowed the Gyrenes to extend their lead to four. The lead widened to 5-0 in the fifth, when Hampton clubbed an RBI double to left center.

Ave Maria concluded their half of the scoring with three runs in the top of the sixth. The Gyrenes loaded the bases on a Maya Gonzalez single and two walks. The first run was plated by Michi on a sacrifice fly, with the other two following on an RBI single from Ryanne Saluter. The Lions got on the board in the bottom of the sixth to avoid the run rule, but count not mount a comeback as the Gyrenes clinched their fifth conference win. 

Every Gyrenes starter reached base at least once in the win, with eight of the nine logging at least one hit. Michi and Nelson both had two hits in the win, with Michi leading the offense with two doubles, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Hailee Howe tossed three scoreless innings to start the game for AMU, while Gonzalez pitched the final four to earn her fourth win of the season. 

In game two, the Gyrenes found themselves in an early hole, as Florida Memorial scored in the bottom of the second to go ahead 1-0. Ave Maria responded with some small ball to tie the game in the top of the third. AMU scored without the aid of a hit, as Gonzalez drew a walk, moved to third on another walk and a fielder's choice, then scored on a double steal. 

Florida Memorial answered AMU's run with two of their own, taking a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning. AMU tried to rally, scoring a run in the top of the fifth to cut Florida Memorial's lead back to one. Garrett led off the inning with a single, and moved around to third on an error and a groundout. Michi then drove in Garrett with a sacrifice fly to center, cutting the FMU edge to 3-2.

FMU got the run back in the bottom of the fifth to extend the lead back to two, which would be enough to hold off the Gyrenes. AMU did score a run in the top of the sixth on a picture perfect bunt from Kylee Lewis, but could not push the tying run across in either the sixth or the seventh innings, despite having runners in scoring position in both frames.

Nudera and Saluter both reached base three times in the losing error, with both players accounting for two walks and a single. Kaedyn Sutton allowed just two earned runs over her 4.2 innings of work, while Howe and Ashley Nelson recorded the final four outs for the Gyrenes without surrendering a run.

AMU, who now holds a 5-4 record in Sun Conference play, will battle Warner University on Tuesday and Wednesday in their next SUN series. First pitch on Tuesday is set for 3:00 p.m., with a doubleheader following on Wednesday.