MOUNT VERNON, Ga. — The Ave Maria Softball team continued their opening trip through the Peach State Friday, playing a doubleheader with the Brewton-Parker Barons. The Gyrenes dropped game one of the set 12-3 but got a rare 4-4 tie in the second game due to lack of sun after seven innings.
Game one of the doubleheader was very similar to the second game of Thursday's doubleheader, with Brewton-Parker putting up a big inning in the early frames of the game and creating a deficit the Gyrenes could not overcome.
Friday started with the Gyrenes scoring first, bringing home a run in the second inning. Neveah Wing drew a walk and stole second to open the frame. After moving to third on a single, she was brought home on an RBI single from Karsyn Moore.
The lead did not last long as Brewton-Parker brought home seven runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a big lead. The runs were scored off five singles, an error and a sacrifice fly.
Ave Maria got two back in the top of the third to bring themselves within four runs, but that ended up being their final runs of the game. Kate McIntyre brought home Ashley Lykins with an RBI double and then scored herself off an RBI single from Wing.
BPC scored another run in the bottom half of the third and then scored four more in the bottom of the sixth to run-rule the Gyrenes 12-3.
Game two was Ave Maria first non-loss decision of the season, playing to a 4-4 tie.
Again the Gyrenes got on the board first, this time in the top of the first inning. Annabella Phillips brought home Lykins with an RBI single, her first RBI of the season.
The Barons took the lead in the bottom half of the inning, but it was much for manageable deficit for Ave Maria with only two runs crossing home plate.
AMU got a run back in the top of the second when a throwing error from the cater allowed Cecilia Garrett to score.
Brewton-Parker added their final run in the bottom of the third to take a 4-2 lead.
The Gyrenes evened it up in the top of the fourth with two runs. It was the usual suspects again with Lykins bringing home Garrett on a fielder's choice, and then, which she was able to reach on herself, and then scoring off a Phillips sacrifice fly.
Both teams held each other in check for the next three innings as the score remained locked at four.
In the bottom of the seventh, the game went into an injury delay for a Brewton-Parker Baron.
When the two teams returned to the field, the Gyrenes were able to strand the potential winning run on the bases and keep the game tied at four.
Instead of heading to extras, the game was called due to lack of sun and both teams got a tie in the second game. It is the first ever tie in Ave Maria history.
Following the doubleheader, the Gyrenes record moves to 0-3-1 to start the season.
Ave Maria gets Saturday off before returning to the diamond Sunday, February 2, for their final two games of the season opening Georgia road trip. The last two games will be a doubleheader against former Sun Conference member Thomas. Like the Knights and Barons, the Night Hawks will open their 2025 season against the Gyrenes. First pitches are set for 10 a.m. and noon, and the stream link can be found on the Ave Maria website.
