AVE MARIA, Fla. — Once the scoring started, the Gyrenes could not stop as the piled the runs on in their series opener against the Florida Memorial Lions. The Gyrenes beat the Lions 14-1 Friday afternoon, logging 12 hits at the plate and reaping the benefits of eight errors from the Lions.
After a scoreless first, Ave Maria was able to capitalize on multiple errors and great hitting in the second to open the scoring. Karyn Moore brought in the first run with a double to left center  that scored Alexia Bracero. A few at bats later, Nevaeh Wing grounded a ball to the shortstop who focused on getting the out, allowing Moore to score. After a wild pitch and a walk put runners at the corners, Kaitlyn O'Neill reached on an FMU error that also brought Wing across the dish.
A single then loaded the bases for Hailee Howe who did not disappoint. In her final series as a Gyrene, the senior sent a ball over the center fielder's head, securing a stand-up triple. Howe's shot scored Genieve Peterson, O'Neill, and Ashley Lykins. Howe was brought in a couple of at bats later when Bracero reached on another error from the FMU defense. The Gyrenes brought home seven runs in the frame off five hits and three errors from the Lions.
The scoring continued in the third as Ave Maria brought home another five runs. O'Neill got the party started with a single to left field that scored Wing. That gave the Gyrenes the necessary eight runs to secure the run rule. Ave Maria decided to empty the bench and get other players involved in the rest of the game.
Teagan Milewski was one of the first pinch hitters to enter the game and immediately got an RBI with a single that scored Lykins. Like the previous inning, Howe cracked another deep shot, this time a double that scored O'Neill. Milewski held up at third on the double but was brought home during the next at-bat when Noelani Sokolik reached first on a Florida Memorial error. Howe scored the last run of the inning off a Lion error as well. The five runs were brought in off five hits and three more errors from the Lions.
The Lions logged their first hit of the game in the fourth inning, breaking up a no-hitter Sutton had going through 3.2 innings. FMU also brought home a run in the frame to ruin the shutout.
Ave Maria scored their final two runs in the fourth with a bases loaded walk drawn by Michele Will and an RBI single from Payton Maguire.
FMU led the fifth off with a single, but Sutton retired the following three batters to secure the run-rule victory for the Gyrenes.
In the circle, Sutton won her sixth game of the season and tossed her fourth complete game of the season. The senior allowed just one run off three hits and one walk and stuck out four batters.
At the dish, Howe, Moore and Sienna Franklin all tied for the team lead with two hits. Howe added a career high of four runs batted in, while O'Neill tallied a career high of two runs batted in. Six other Gyrenes were able to record a hit.
Eight errors in the field tied a season-high for the Florida Memorial Lions.
With the win, Ave Maria improves to 8-26 overall and 4-18 in the conference.
The Lions and Gyrenes will conclude their series and the regular season with a doubleheader Saturday, April 25. The first game will begin at 12:00 p.m., with the second game beginning shortly after. Both games will be streamed on the Urban Edge Network.
