AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria Softball team split a doubleheader with the Florida National Conquistadors Saturday afternoon. Both games were tight one-run contests with FNU taking the first 6-5 and the Gyrenes coming out on top in the second 3-2.
The first game was back and forth between the two teams with three lead changes. Hailey Howe opened the scoring in the bottom of the first with an RBI single that scored Neveah Wing.
FNU responded immediately in the top of the second bringing home three runs for the first lead change of the game. The score remained 3-1 until the bottom of the fourth.
After two empty frames, the Gyrenes got back on the board with a three-run inning of their own to take a 4-3 lead. Kate McIntyre scored the first run as she showcased the jets scoring from first off a throwing error from the Conquistadors first baseman covering a bunt from Mary McIntire. The batter McIntire reached second on the error.
After two outs, Wing brought home McIntire with an RBI single to right field to tie the game at three. Wing advanced to second on the throw home keeping a runner in scoring position for the Gyrenes.
Alexia Bracero came into pinch hit in the next at and slapped an RBI single to center to bring home Wing for her second run of the game and put the Gyrenes on top.
In the fifth, Ave Maria added to their lead in a big way. Annabella Phillips fouled off four pitches in her leadoff at bat before crushing a ball over the fence in left field for a home run. It was the first dinger for any Gyrene this season and the first home run at the AMU Softball Field by a Gyrene since April 10, 2021, when Kalie Romig went deep against Keiser.
AMU took a two-run lead into the final two innings, but it wasn't enough. Florida National tied the game at five in the top of the sixth and then scored the winning run in the top of the seventh. The Gyrenes got a couple baserunners in the sixth, but they were left stranded, and then went 1-2-3 in the seventh.
Game two of the doubleheader was just as tight but was a lower scoring game compared to game one. All five runs were scored in the first three innings as the teams held each other in check for the final four frames.
FNU scored both of their runs in the top of the first. The Gyrenes immediately responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. McIntyre ripped a triple to left field that brought home Bracero for the first run. McIntyre was then brought in on the next at off a sacrifice fly from Phillips tying the game at two.
The deciding runs was brought home in the third off another RBI triple from McIntyre that again scored Bracero. It is just the fourth time in AMU softball history that a Gyrene has recorded two triples in a game. Ryanne Saluter did it twice in the 2023 season.
After the two early runs in the first inning, pitcher Kaedyn Sutton settled things down in the circle for the rest of the game. The Conquistadors had their chances, recording nine hits in the final six innings, but when it mattered most, Sutton and the Gyrenes shut down the Conquistadors with stellar defensive play. Sutton finished the game with two strikeouts and earned her third complete game of the season and second win of the year.
With the split, Ave Maria's record moves to 3-8-1 and 2-2 at home.
The Gyrenes are back in action Thursday, February 20, in doubleheader against Fort Lauderdale. Ave Maria split a doubleheader against the Eagles Tuesday, February 11, getting their first win of the season. Thursday is the first of three straight doubleheaders for the Gyrenes, going on the road for a two-gamer Friday, and then coming back home for a two-bill on Saturday. First pitches against UFTL are set for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. the games will be streamed on the Sun Digital Network.
