FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Ave Maria Softball team got their first win of the 2025 season, taking game two of a doubleheader against the Fort Lauderdale Eagles. UFTL took the first game 7-2, but the Gyrenes shut the Eagles down in the second game winning 2-1.
It took a while for the scoring to get started in the early game, with the two teams holding each other scoreless for the first four innings. Kaedyn Sutton got the start in the circle for the Gyrenes and did a good job at holding the Eagles in check.
Ave Maria opened the scoring in the fifth inning with an RBI single from Sienna Franklin that brought home Mary McIntire. It was the first RBI of the season for Frankin, a freshman from Urbandale, Iowa.
The lead did last long for the Gyrenes as Fort Lauderdale brought home two runs in the bottom half of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead. After holding Ave Maria scoreless in the top of the sixth, UFTL exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth to go up 7-1.
In the top of the seventh, McIntire was brought home for her second run of the game off an RBI from Ashley Lykins, but that is where the comeback would end as the Gyrenes fell 7-2.
The second game was when Ave Maria finally got one in the win column.
As opposed to the first game, the scoring started earlier in the later contest with Ave Maria striking in the opening frame. With two runners on and two outs, Hailee Howe dropped a base hit into left field that was able to bring home Franklin for the first run of the game. The throw from left field sailed past the Fort Lauderdale catcher and Kate McIntyre tried to make the Eagles pay looking to score a second run. However, the catcher was able to quickly recover the ball and flip to the pitcher who tagged out McIntyre right before she could slide into the plate.
Again, UFTL responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but this time it was just one run to even the game. Aside from the early run allowed, Gina Gallegos had a great game in the circle, tossing all seven innings and striking out three batters.
Karsyn Moore broke the tie in the fourth inning, slapping a single to right field to bring home McIntyre for the eventual game winning run. It is the second RBI of the season for the catcher.
The Gyrenes held on for the final three innings to secure their first win of the 2025 season.
With the split, Ave Maria is now 1-6-1 to start the season.
After eight games on the road to start the year, the Gyrenes are finally home for their next few games, hosting back-to-back doubleheaders Friday and Saturday, February 14-15. The first two gamer is against Oklahoma Wesleyan and will be the first time these two teams have met on the softball field. Saturday is a double header against Florida National, whom the Gyrenes have played 12 times, all within the last five years. Both doubleheaders are set to start at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and all four games will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.
