MELBOURNE, Fla. — The Ave Maria Softball team had a tough first day in the USSSA Space Coast Spring Games, dropping all three games of a triple header. The Gyrenes dropped the first game to Cleary 12-3, then lost to Mount Marty 8-4 and lost a back and forth finale to Bethel 8-6.

Thursday's morning game against Cleary started high scoring and even, but the Cougars quickly left the Gyrenes in their trails. Cleary opened the scoring in the first inning with three runs off two hits and three errors.

The Gyrenes immediately responded with three runs of their own. Mia Mazzolini got the inning started with a lead-off triple, the first extra-base hit of her career. Mary McIntire immediately brought her home with a bunt double that was just out of reach of both players in the Cougars' battery. Karsyn Moore kept the extra-base hit party going with an RBI double to right center that scored McIntire. After two outs, Moore was finally brought home to tie the game with an RBI single from Lindsey Watson.

The tie did not last long as Cleary brought home another three runs in the top of the second to take a 6-3 lead. The Cougars added three more runs in the third and sixth while keeping the Gyrenes scoreless to win 12-3.

The second game on Thursday against Mounty Marty ended a bit closer, but it took a while for the Gyrenes to find the scoreboard.

The Lancers opened the game with three runs in the first, one in the second and two in the fourth, racing out to a 6-0 lead.

Ave Maria scored their first runs of the game in the sixth inning. With two runners on, Haliegh Campbell slung a ball into center field, bringing home Hailee Howe and Karsyn Moore.

Mount Marty put their lead back at six with two final runs in the bottom half of the inning.

In the final frame, the Gyrenes tacked on two more runs. Howe smacked an RBI single to left field with two on that brought home Genevieve Peterson. The Lancers' left fielder bobbled the ball while trying to field it, giving Ashley Lykins enough time to score on an error.

Two runs were all AMU would get that frame as the game ended in favor of Mount Marty.

The finale of the Gyrenes' tripleheader was the closest of the day and the only game in which Ave Maria led.

AMU opened the scoring against the Bethel Pilots with two runs in the top of the second. Mazzolini brought home the first run with an RBI single that scored Alexa Hehl. During the next at bat, Bethel's pitcher attempted to pick off Mazzolini, but the first baseman missed the ball, and it rolled all the way to the fence. Mazzolini was able to scamper all the way to third on the fielding miscue. Lykins brought her home on the next pitch with an RBI single.

The Pilots responded quickly and loudly in the bottom of the frame with five runs. Bethel only needed one hit and one error from the Gyrenes as walks, RBI ground outs and unsuccessful fielder's choices fueled Bethel's offense.

Ave Maria retook the lead in the fifth with a high-scoring inning of their own. The Gyrenes plated four runs in the frame off five hits. With two on, Howe smashed a double out to center field which scored McIntire and Kaitlyn O'Neill. Alexia Bracero then brought Howe in with an RBI single, tying the game up at five runs apiece. After a wild pitch moved Bracero into scoring position, Hehl put the Gyrenes back in front with a double to right field that brought home Bracero. The junior from Alaska tried to stretch it into a triple but was thrown out at the bag ending the inning.

However, continuing with the trend of the day, an Ave Maria scoring inning was immediately responded. Bethel tied the game in the bottom of the fifth and then took a two run lead in the bottom of the sixth. The Gyrenes had one more frame to try and extend the game, but three straight outs ended the day.

Over the three games, Howe led the team with five hits and three RBI. Lykins and Moore were right behind her with four hits.

With the three losses, Ave Maria falls to 4-9 on the year.

The Gyrenes wrap up their stay at the Space Coast Friday, March 6, with two games against Missouri Baptist and Dordt. Both teams received votes in the most recent NAIA Top 25 poll, with Missouri Baptist being ranked 15^th in the country.