AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria Softball team brought home two runs in the seventh inning and got the tying run aboard but just ran out of time as they dropped their series opener the New College of Florida Mighty Banyans 6-4.

New College of Florida opened the scoring in the top of the third. After loading the bases, the Mighty Banyans brought home all three runners with a sacrifice fly, double steal and RBI single to take a 3-0 lead.

In their following trip to the plate, New College kept their momentum rolling with another three runs to double their lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ave Maria started to fight back. With the bases loaded, Payton Maguire rolled a ball to second and reached safely on a fielder's choice. New College elected to get the out at second and allowed Gwen Negron to score.

In the fifth, Liz Negron took over the circle for Lindsey Watson and shut down the Mighty Banyan offense. The freshman logged two strikeouts across the fifth and sixth innings. When New College did make contact, the Gyrene defense was there to make the play.

In the bottom of the sixth, Karsyn Moore led the frame off with her ninth double of the season, giving her the most on the team. A sac bunt moved her over to third and an RBI single from Alexia Bracero gave the Gyrenes their second run of the game.

In the final frame, the Gyrenes attempted to rally back. Genevieve Peterson got the efforts started as she got aboard with an infield single. Peterson then stole second and moved to third after Haliegh Campbell got aboard with an infield single as well. The Gyrenes cashed in on the back-to-back singles with yet another base hit, this time an RBI single from Hailee Howe that scored Peterson. Teagan Milewski came in to run for Campbell was brought home a couple of at bats later with an RBI single from Mary McIntire. With Howe at second, McIntire represented the tying run for the Gyrenes.

Unfortunately, the comeback ended a bit short as a pop out ended the game.

At the plate, Campbell led Ave Maria with three hits. Peterson and Howe were able to record two hits, with Howe earning an RBI.

In the circle, Watson made her 10^th start of the season but unfortunately got the loss. Negron tossed the final three frames and logged two strikeouts while only allowing one hit.

With the loss the Gyrene record falls to 6-25 overall and 2-17 in the conference. The loss mathematically eliminates AMU from making the Sun Conference tournament. Even if the Gyrenes won out, and the sixth place Webber Warriors lost their final five games, they would still end tied with Webber who won the season series which would be the tiebreaker.

The Might Banyans and Gyrenes will conclude their series with a doubleheader Saturday, April 18. Saturday is also senior day as the Gyrenes will honor the seniors on the 2026 roster. First pitch is slated for noon, and both games will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.