MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Ave Maria Softball team split Saturday with the Florida Memorial Lions, ultimately falling in the weekend series 2-1. The Gyrenes took the first game 7-3 but then fell in the rubber match 4-3.

Ave Maria scored the first two runs of the game on almost identical plays in the first and third innings. In both frames, Kate McIntyre got aboard with a double and then was brought home on an RBI single from Hailee Howe. It was the fourth multi-RBI game of the season for Howe and the fourth time this year a Gyrene had recorded two doubles in a game for McIntyre.

FMU got a run back in the fourth inning to cut the lead in half, but the Gyrenes got it back and a lot more in the sixth inning.

A single and two walks quickly loaded the bases for the Gyrenes. After a foul out put two away, Neveah Wing drew a walk to bring home a run. In the next at-bat, Cecilia Garrett slapped single to left center bringing home Payton Maguire and Lindsey Watson. Mary McIntire brought home Wing and Garrett for two more runs with an RBI single of her own. It is the third and fourth multi-RBI games for Garrett and McIntire, respectively.

Five runs in a frame ties for a season-high in a conference game for the Gyrenes.

Florida Memorial scored their final two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning off a home run, but the Gyrenes closed them out to get the 7-3 win.

In the circle, Kaedyn Sutton made her 17^th start of the season and tossed six innings with two strikeouts in the win. Her record improves to 9-5 on the year.

In the second game, Florida Memorial scored all four of their runs in the first three innings before the Gyrenes found the scoreboard. The Lions scored one run in the second inning and then three more in the third inning.

Ave Maria responded with a crooked number of their own in the top of the fourth inning, bringing home three runs to get back within one of the Lions. Ave Maria opened with the same combo that worked well in the first game. McIntyre got on to start the inning and was brought home by Howe. This time, Howe was the one with the double. A couple of at-bats later, Maguire hit a double of her own to bring home Howe for the second run of the game. Maguire was brought in herself later in the inning with a sacrifice fly from Alexa Hehl.

Back within a run, Ave Maria looked to complete the comeback but was held scoreless for the final three innings. The Gyrenes' best chance was in the sixth inning, loading the bases with two outs. However, a lineout ended the frame before AMU could bring the tying run home.

FMU took care of business in the seventh and got the win to clinch the series.

In the circle, Mia Mazzolini made her first start of the season and tossed 1.2 innings. Gina Gallegos replaced her in the second inning and Watson followed her in the fifth inning and tossed the last two frames.

With the split, Ave Maria's record moves to 17-21-1 overall and 6-9 in conference play. The Gyrenes are currently in sixth place in the Sun Conference standings. They are half a game ahead of the Webber Warriors who are in seventh place and are currently on the outside looking in for the conference tournament. Webber has played three games less than Ave Maria, but the Gyrenes own the tiebreaker having won the head-to-head series earlier in March. Webber would need a sweep to pass the Gyrenes.

Ave Maria is back home for their next conference series Friday and Saturday, April 4-5. Southeastern is currently ranked 14^th in the NAIA and boasts a 27-6 overall record and a 9-3 conference record.
The series opens with a solo game on Friday, April 4. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.