VIERA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball team returned to the field at the USSSA Space Coast Complex on Monday, splitting a doubleheader against the University of Saint Mary and Fisher College. The Gyrenes couldn't get anything going against Saint Mary in a 3-0 loss to the Spires, but bounced back in a major way with a 20-0 win over Fisher in the nightcap.
Saint Mary scored three runs in the top of the first inning, which would be the game's only scoring. Only one of the Spires' three runs came across via a hit, with a bunt and an error accounting for the other two runs.
After a rocky first inning, Kaedyn Sutton settled in for the Gyrenes, tossing six scoreless innings from that point forward. Sutton worked out of jams in both the sixth and seventh innings, stranding a runner on third base in the top of the sixth and leaving runners on second and third in the top of the seventh.
The Gyrenes managed just four hits in the losing effort, all of which were singles. Annie Nudera and Ryanne Saluter both logged hits at the top of the lineup, while Hailee Howe and Ashley Nelson reached base in the middle of the order.
Game two was a much different story, as the Gyrenes had no trouble with the overmatched Falcons. Ave Maria had a 10-0 lead in the first inning, led by a two-run single from Nuders and a two-run triple by Saluter. Marisa Michi, Maggie Hampton, and Cecilia Garrett all added RBIs in the opening frame, which saw the Gyrenes push across their ten runs on seven hits.
Ave Maria added eight more runs in the second inning, this time needing just one hit to do so. AMU drew five walks in the frame, including a bases loaded walks to Sammy Lapkin. Hailee Howe added a two-run triple to plate runs for the Gyrenes, who also got RBIs in the inning from Angelique Ballew, Kaedyn Sutton, and Trinity Duran.
AMU concluded their 20-run outburst, the third 20-run performance in program history and the first since the 2014 season, with two runs in the bottom of the third. Ballew added her second RBI of the game on an error, which saw her move around to third base. She scored soon after on a wild pitch for Ave Maria's 20th run of the evening.
Ballew also tossed three scoreless innings of relief to earn her first collegiate win. Ballew relieved Maya Gonzalez, who added two scoreless frames of her own. 15 of the 17 Gyrenes to step to the plate either scored or drove in a run, led by three RBIs and two runs scored by Ryanne Saluter, who tripled in both of her at-bats.
Tuesday will mark Ave Maria's final doubleheader in their first trip to the Space Coast - the Gyrenes will return next week for four more games to complete non-conference play. Tuesday's doubleheader will consist of a pair of morning games, as Ave Maria battles Cleary University from Michigan at 9:00 a.m., then finishes the roadtrip with an 11:30 a.m. game against Culver-Stockton College from Missouri.
