AVE MARIA, Fla. - The New College of Florida Softball team lost both games in their double header at Ave Maria university by one run.
The Banyans (1-12) dropped both games at Ave Maria via walk off hits in the bottom of the seventh inning. Despite the loss, the Banyans showed major improvements in the box and on the mound.
The Banyans hosted Ave Maria for the first home games of the season on Feb 3. NCF lost both of those games by a combined 15 runs, and looked to improve in a rematch against a future conference opponent.
The Banyans and Gyrenes both struggled in the first game of the afternoon. After holding the Banyans scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Gyrenes scored their first run of the day on a single up the middle. The Banyans were not able to respond, going scoreless through the first five innings of action.
The Banyans finally capitalized on the offensive end in the top of the sixth inning. Madison Dutton lead off the inning with a single down the third base line.
Tiffany Lepic followed suit, driving a single into the center field gap and advancing Dutton to second base. After two quick outs,
Carianne Maitland singled to center field, scoring Dutton from second and tying the game at 1.
The New College offense scored another run in the top of the seventh. Madi Dutton drove a ball to deep center field. The center fielder made an excellent play to catch the ball, but
Ke'Asia Waters took advantage of the opportunity, tagging up and scoring the go-ahead run from third base.
The Banyans were not able to maintain the their lead. After a walk and a single to third base, the Gyrenes tied the game on an RBI single back to the mound. Another single down the right field line scored the Gyrenes winning run, helping them take home a 3-2 victory in game 1.
The Banyans got off to a fantastic start to begin game 2. Madi Dutton drove in the first run of the game on a double to deep left center.
Madison Garcia and Jalyssa Nedesma capitalized on the hit, crossing home plate and giving the Banyans an early 2-0 lead. Madi Dutton opened the game on the mound in game 2 and impressed. Dutton contained the Ave Maria offense through 4 innings. Dutton struck out 2 batters on the day, giving up 5 hits and 0 walks. The Gyrene offense struggled up until the fourth inning of action. The Gyrenes drove in their first running with one out in the inning. A sacrifice fly drove in the runner from third, bringing Ave Maria back within one run.
Dutton got the final out of the inning, keeping the Banyans lead heading into the final two innings. Dutton's stellar display on the mound wasn't enough to keep the Banyans ahead. After adding on another run in the top of the seventh, the Banyans gave up two runs in the bottom of the inning, blowing their lead and completing the Gyrenes series sweep.
Madi Dutton led New College on the offensive end, recording 3 hits and 3 RBI on the day.
Carianne Maitland tallied 3 hits in game one, driving in one RBI.
Madison Garcia recorded 3 hits on the day.
The Banyans are back in action on Friday, Feb 16 for a double-header vs Southeastern and Florida National University.
