LAKE WALES, Fla — The Gyrenes split a doubleheader with the Warner Royals on Saturday, winning their fourth conference series of the year and clinched their ticket to the Sun Conference Playoffs for the first time since 2013. Warner took game one 20-10 and the Gyrenes won the rubber match of the series 4-2.
Game one of the series tied for the highest combined score in Ave Maria's season, totaling 30 runs between the two squads. There were two ties and three lead changes during the game. AMU struck first with four runs in the first inning off two two-RBI singles from Jimmy Coffey and Cole Rasbury.
The Royals did not let Ave Maria keep their lead for long though, putting up six runs themselves in the bottom of the first.
In the top of the second, Jose Gonzalez slapped an RBI triple down the right field line and then was brought home on a Daniel Caylor sacrifice fly to tie the game at six.
In the top of the third, Ave Maria seized the lead again with another two-run inning, this time with the runs coming in an unconventional way. The first run came into score of a Tanner Kelly fielder's choice with the bases loaded. This was Kelly's second time on base, drawing a walk in the second, which extended his on-base streak to 38 games. With two outs and runners on the corners, Jose Gonzalez advanced to first on a passed ball despite striking out. Connor James, who was on third, came into score on the play.
Unfortunately, that was the last time the Gyrenes would take the lead as the Royals brought home another four runs in the bottom of the third to take a 10-8 lead. They did tie the game in the top of the fourth inning, scoring two more runs off a James RBI single and a Rasbury fielder's choice. Ave Maria had a prime opportunity to retake the lead, but left the bases loaded and the game tied at 10.
From there, the game became the Royal show, with Warner scoring 10 runs over the next four innings. They put up five runs in the bottom of the fourth and seventh. Those final five runs put Warner up by 10 runs allowing them to mercy rule the Gyrenes. It was the first time Ave Maria had been run ruled this season. Their previous largest margin of defeat was a nine-run loss to Brewton-Parker back in February.
Game two of the doubleheader was drastically different from the early game of the afternoon. Instead of 30 combined runs, the two teams only put up six runs combined, with Ave Maria winning 4-2.
After falling down 1-0 in the first, David Leonardi hit a solo bomb as his 13th home run of the season to tie the game at one. Leonardi broke the single season home run record earlier in the week on Tuesday and is on pace for 16 dingers this year.
Both teams struck again for one run to keep the game tied in the seventh inning. Ave Maria's run came in off a Rasbury sacrifice fly that scored Michael Kelly.
Finally in the eighth inning, the Gyrenes pulled ahead of the Royals, taking a 4-2 lead. With Tanner Kelly standing in scoring position, Gonzalez slapped an RBI double to left center to give Ave Maria their first lead of the game. Kelly, who also singled in the third inning, once again got on base, pushing his streak to all 39 games. Gonzalez came in to score off a Daniel Caylor sacrifice fly.
On the mound, Ave Maria saw their first nine-inning complete game since 2021. Ryan Schroeder tossed all nine innings in the rubber match, only allowing two runs, one of them unearned, off six hits, four walks, and six strikeouts. It was the most innings the junior from Jacksonville, Florida, has pitched in a Gyrene uniform, with his previous high being seven innings against the Thomas Night Hawks last season. The last pitcher to toss a nine-inning complete game for Ave Maria was Ethan Wood on February 12, 2021, against Webber.
Following the doubleheader split, the Gyrenes record moves to 29-10 and 11-4 in conference play. Ave Maria also punches their ticket to the Sun Playoffs for the first time in 10 years. It is also just the second time the Gyrenes have made the postseason in their 14-year history. Ave Maria also has a solid hold on second place in the Sun Conference standings, three games ahead of the third place Webber Warriors and a game and a half behind the first place Southeastern Fire.
Ave Maria has no midweek games coming up, with their next contest being a three-game road series against the Keiser Seahawks. Keiser took two out of three from Thomas this past weekend to improve to 24-17, 7-8 in conference play and are currently sitting in fourth place in the conference. Game one is Friday with first pitch set for 3 p.m. All three games of the series will be broadcasted on the Sun Digital Network and recaps can be found on avemariagyrenes.com.
