MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University softball team had their best day of the season to date on Friday, sweeping a doubleheader against the Rams of Columbia International University. In a twinbill played on the campus of St. Thomas University, the Gyrenes claimed victories of 9-1 and 8-1, running their winning streak to three games. AMU has now won four of their last five games after a 2-8-1 start to the season.
AMU fell behind early after a run from CIU in the top of the second, but the Gyrenes quickly answered to take the lead for good. Hailee Howe led off the bottom of the second on a walk, then moved up on a CIU error. Mary McIntire loaded the bases with a perfectly placed bunt single, giving the Gyrenes a bases loaded situation. With two outs, Navaeh Wing drew a clutch walk to get AMU on the board, and Alexia Bracero followed with a two-run double to put the Gyrenes ahead, 3-1.
The scoring continued for the Gyrenes in the third inning, as Ave Maria scored three more runs and did so all with two outs. After the first two hitters of the inning were retired, Alexa Hehl singled up the middle, then moved around to third on a pair of wild pitches. Sienna Franklin drew a walk to put runners on the corners, then beat a throw to second on an attempted fielder's choice to allow Hehl to score from third. Cecilia Garrett singled up the middle to make it 5-1, and Wing added an RBI double to add to the AMU lead.
Ave Maria put the finishing touches on a short-game victory with one run in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth. Howe drove in the run in the fourth inning, bringing in Kate McIntyre, who had started the inning with a single, with an RBI groundout. In the fifth inning, Garrett and Wing singled, and scored the game-ending runs on an RBI single from Bracero and an RBI double by McIntyre.
Only two of the nine runs were needed to win the game, as AMU starter Kaedyn Sutton shut down the Rams in game one. Sutton allowed just the one second inning run, scattering seven hits across her five innings of work. Five Gyrenes logged two hits in the win, led by two hits and three RBIs from McIntyre and two hits and two RBIs from Wing.
The Gyrenes carried their momentum from the opener into the nightcap, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. Wing led off the contest with a walk, and moved around to third on a steal and a groundout, With two outs, Howe continued her hot hitting with an RBI single. Howe would then come around to score after a fielding error off the bat of Annabella Phillips.
Leading 2-0 after one inning, the Gyrenes had a massive second inning to bury the Rams, scoring six. The scoring started with McIntire scoring on an error, with an RBI single from Bracero increasing the lead to 4-0. McIntyre added an RBI single of her own, and Howe drove in another run with a double down the left field line. Phillips and Hehl added to the fun with RBI singles of their own, giving Ave Maria an 8-0 lead before the Rams could get off the field.
That lead would be more than enough for starter Gina Gallegos, who followed the lead of Sutton with a win of her own. Gallegos allowed just four hits over her five innings of work, striking out two without walking a batter. Mia Mazzolini finished the game for AMU, tossing two scoreless innings. Offensively, Howe, McIntire and Garrett all had two hits in the win, with Howe leading the way with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Ave Maria will look to keep up their current momentum on Saturday, as the Gyrenes play host to NCAA Division II Palm Beach Atlantic University. First pitch at the AMU Softball Complex for the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
