AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria Softball team trailed for most the game Thursday in the conference series opener against the Warner Royals, but a five-run sixth inning put the Gyrenes on top as they won 8-4.
Ave Maria opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first. Annabella Phillips got it started with a one-out double, her eighth double of the season. After advancing to third on the next at bat, a passed ball brought her in for the game's first run.
Hailee Howe kept the frame going with a two-out walk. She was then brought home on an RBI double from Sienna Franklin. It was the first extra-base hit of the year for Franklin and her seventh RBI on the year.
The lead didn't last long as the Royals brought home three runs in the next half inning to move in front. Warner stacked four hits in a row to tie the game before Ave Maria recorded an out. After the third run came into score, starting pitcher Gina Gallegos got a strikeout to end the inning and keep the deficit to just one.
The score remained 3-2 for the next two innings as both teams held each other in check defensively. Cecilia Garrett had the defensive play of the game out in centerfield in the third inning, making a diving catch for the first out of the frame.
Ave Maria finally tied things up in the bottom of the fifth off a weird play. With two runners on and just one out, pinch hitter Lindsay Watson slapped a grounder towards the Royals' shortstop. The ball took a lucky Warner bounce as it rolled up the body of the shortstop and right into the glove of the Royals' second baseman, who had her foot on the bag to get the force play at second. That's where the Royals' luck ran out though. The second baseman tried to turn two to end the inning but over threw first and the ball sailed to the fence. By time Warner got the ball back in the infield, Watson was standing on third and Garrett had come into score from second, tying the game at three.
The Royals got the run back in the top of sixth, putting the pressure on the Gyrenes once again.
Ave Maria responded though and brought home five runs, the most in a frame in almost a month. Mary McIntire got the scoring started, ripping a triple to right center field to bring home Brigid Hood, who was pinch running for Franklin, and tie the game at four. It was the second triple of the season for McIntire. Neveah Wing brought her in with an RBI groundout in the next at bat to put the Gyrenes on top 5-4.
Ave Maria was not done as they kept the inning going by getting two runners aboard. That brought up Annabella Phillips who crushed a pitch to left center for her second homer of the season, putting the Gyrenes up by four. Both of her homers have been at home at the AMU Softball complex, which hadn't seen a Gyrene home run since 2021 entering the season.
Gallegos closed things out in the top of the seventh to get her sixth win and ninth complete game of the season. The senior allowed just four runs, three of the earned, off seven hits and one walk while fanning two batters.
Three Gyrenes had multi-hit games at the plate with Garrett, Phillips and Peterson each with two knocks. Both of Phillips' were for extra bases with a double and a home run.
With the win, Ave Maria improves to 14-16-1 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
The Gyrenes finish up their series with the Royals Friday, March 21, with a doubleheader. First pitches are set for 2 and 4 p.m. and both games will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.
