COCOA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball team earned their third consecutive win in dominant fashion, blowing out the Cornerstone University Golden Eagles, 14-3, at the Launch Pad Sports Complex in Cocoa. The Gyrenes used one of the biggest innings in program history, a ten-run second inning, to pick up their fourth run-rule victory of the season, and second in as many days.

Ave Maria wasted little time in taking the lead on Cornerstone, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Annie Nudera led off AMU's half with a single, and Ryanne Saluter remained white-hot with an RBI triple to right center, scoring Nudera. Saluter then scored on a wild pitch to give the Gyrenes a 2-0. Marisa Michi then drew a walk, and moved around the bases on singles from Hailee Howe and Maya Gonzalez, with the single from Gonzalez scoring Michi to make it 3-0.

After Cornerstone scored a run in the top of the second, the Gyrenes exploded for ten runs. Ave Maria sent 16 hitters to the plate, scoring the ten runs on seven hits. Eight of the nine Gyrenes in the starting lineup drove in at least one run in the inning, with Michi the only player to drive in two. All seven of Ave Maria's hits in the inning were singles, with five more players reaching base via a walk. 

Cornerstone scored runs in the third and fifth innings, while the Gyrenes concluded their half of the scoring in the bottom of the fourth. Ave Maria's final run was provided by Michi, who blasted her first home run of the season well over the left field fence. The home run was Michi's seventh of her Ave Maria career, moving her into fourth place in AMU history. 

Eight of Ave Maria's nine starters hit safely in the blowout win, while all nine reached base at least once. Michi and Ashley Nelson both led Ave Maria with three hits, while Howe and Maggie Hampton both had two. Michi was AMU's leader in run production with three RBIs, while Saluter continued her hot streak with two runs batted in. In the circle, Kaedyn Sutton tossed a five-inning complete game, moving her record to 4-1 on the season with the win.

The Gyrenes were scheduled to play a second game at Launch Pad against in-state rival Florida National University. However, multiple missing lights rendered the field unplayable, and both teams agreed to postpone the game to a date later in the season to be determined. 

AMU returns to the USSSA Space Coast Complex on Monday and Tuesday for the team's final two doubleheaders of the spring break trip. The Gyrenes return to the field against the Spires of the University of Saint Mary from Kansas, with first pitch scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The finale of the doubleheader with see the Gyrenes battle Fisher College from Massachusetts, with first pitch slated for 7:00 p.m.