Ave Maria, FL. (March 27, 2018) The Ave Maria Gyrenes swept Tuesday’s Double Header from Florida National beating them 14-12 in game one and 12-11 in game two. The Conquistadors currently stand 9-20 on the season.
Ave Maria, Fl
Game 1:
FNU didn’t waste any time getting on the board in the first game, and they jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning highlighted by an RBI double by Esiquel Valdes which was followed by a two-run single by the DH Henry Perez before two base running miscues ran them out of the inning. The Conquistadors didn’t relent however after the first inning adding yet another run in both the second and third innings; extending their lead to 8-0. The Gyrenes of Ave Maria began cutting away at the lead leaving a crooked number in the third inning putting up seven runs. Much of those runs came about due to errors in the outfield. FNU finished the game with four total errors. The Gyrenes capped off that seven-run inning on a three-run homer. They would then follow that up with another big inning in the fourth adding five runs leading FNU 12-8. FNU had a chance to even things up in the fifth when they loaded up the bases with no outs. But the Conquistadors failed to bring anyone home having two consecutive fly outs and one grounder to end the inning. The Gyrenes would add again to their lead in the fifth putting up an additional two runs, one of which was earned on an error. To FNU’s credit, they would put up four more runs in the sixth inning. Sergio Rivas drove in three on the double and was brought home on a Manuel Blanco single. The late Conquistador comeback, however, was short-lived as two men were left stranded to end the inning. Entering the seventh, the Gyrenes would turn to their closer as he shut down FNU 1-2-3 to end game one.
Game 2:
Entering game two the Conquistadors and Gyrenes went tit for tat offensively with each scoring a run in the first two innings evening things up at 2-2. The Gyrenes would get ahead in the bottom of the third inning as they capitalized on two walks and two errors followed by a three-run homer taking a 7-2 lead. The Conquistadors would not go gently into that good night as they scored eight runs in the top of the fourth taking a 10-7 lead. FNU, however, failed to capitalize on the lead by giving up four in the fifth thanks to a hit by pitch, error and a three-run homer by the Gyrenes. The Conquistadors made things interesting in the seventh as they loaded up the bases with two outs. But yet again the Conquistadors became their worst enemy not capitalizing on a wild pitch that would have tied the game. FNU would fall to the Gyrenes 12-11.
“Right now we have to find a way to stop beating ourselves,” said Coach Carrillo after the game. “It’s not that we are playing bad baseball, but we always have that one or two innings where we find a way to lose it.”
The Conquistadors will be back in action on Friday at home (Ernest R Graham Park) vs. College of Saint Joseph with the first pitch scheduled for 6:00 pm
