AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball team could not solve the riddle that is the Warner University Royals on Wednesday, falling twice in Sun Conference play by scores of 13-5 and 3-2. The Gyrenes had plenty of chances against the Royals, but left 21 runners on base over the two games to fall to 5-7 in conference play.
The visiting Royals scored a run in the first inning of the opener, but the Gyrenes grabbed momentum with a three-spot in the bottom of the second. A walk to Ashley Nelson and singles from Ryanne Saluter and Hailee Howe loaded the bases with one out. Maggie Hampton slapped a single to left field for the first run, and a bobble by the Royals allowed both Saluter and Howe to score, giving AMU a 3-1 lead.
From there, though, it was all Warner in the second game of the series. The Royals scored the next 12 runs, plating one in the third, fourth in the fourth, then seven in the top of the sixth to put the game away and clinch the series victory.
Ave Maria didn't roll over in their final at-bat of the contest, getting two runs across in the bottom of the sixth. Cecilia Garrett and Annie Nudera both singled with one out, and a double steal moved the runners to second and third with two outs. Angelique Ballew drove in both runners with a single, which would provide the final runs in the 13-5 decision.
Saluter was Ave Maria's top hitter in the losing effort, going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Howe also added two hits in as many at-bats, reaching base three times with a hit by pitch added. Annie Nudera reached base for the 20th consecutive game, while the Gyrenes as a team stole five bases.
Game two saw two scoreless innings before a passing storm forced the game into a lightning delay. The teams found shelter for just over an hour before the game resumed. Warner scored three runs in the half inning following the delay, taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the third.
AMU got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, cutting Warner's lead to two runs. Kayla Martinez led off the inning by being hit by a pitch, then moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt from Trinity Duran. With two outs, Hampton drove in her second run of the day, hitting a hard line drive to the pitcher that couldn't be handled for an infield single.
Trailing by two runs heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Gyrenes had a chance to tie or walk it off. AMU loaded the bases on walks to Michi and Saluter, as well as a bloop single from Maya Gonzalez. With one out, Ashley Altman lifted a flyball to center field, scoring Michi from third to cut the Warner lead to one run. AMU still had runners on first and second, but another flyout ended the threat and gave Warner the win.
Hampton reached in all three of her at-bats to lead the Gyrene offense, while Nudera reached base three times to move her current streak to 21 games - one of just five streaks of 20 consecutive games on base in program history. In the circle, Ashley Nelson was once again excellent in relief, tossing scoreless frames in the sixth and seventh.
The Gyrenes will have little time to lick their wounds, as another Sun Conference series begins on Friday. Ave Maria will head to the Peach State for the final series against the Thomas University Night Hawks, who will depart the league at season's end. The series begins with a Friday doubleheader, then concludes on Saturday.
