LAKELAND, Fla. — It was another tough day on the diamond for the Ave Maria softball team as they were swept by the Southeastern Fire. The Gyrenes dropped both games of a doubleheader to close out the opening conference series, losing 8-0 and 15-0.

Ave Maria held the Fire off the board in the opening frame of the first game, but the Fire quickly got on the board in the second inning with four runs. Southeastern added two more in the third and two more in the fifth to win 8-0 in mercy rule fashion.

Unlike the series opener on Thursday, the Gyrenes did get a hit with Ashley Lykins leading the fourth inning off with a single.

The second game was the highest scoring of the series as Southeastern put 15 runs on the board. It was 6-0 after three innings and then the Fire exploded for nine runs in the fourth to reach 15 and put the Gyrenes on the ropes against a third mercy rule in the fifth.

Ave Maria again got one hit in the second game off the bat of Karsyn Moore in the first inning. The Gyrenes drew two walks in that inning as well to load the bases and threaten scoring a run, but back-to-back strikeouts ended their best opportunity.

With the two losses, Ave Maria falls to 4-4 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

The Gyrenes are back in action Tuesday, March 3, with a doubleheader against the Florida National Conquistadors. Ave Maria split a doubleheader with FNU last season and is looking to get back on the winning side. Game one's first pitch is set for 12 p.m. and game two will start around 2 p.m.