(Box Score) (Box Score 2)
AVE MARIA, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2023) – Florida National University’s baseball team suffered its first sweep of the 2023 season, as the Ave Maria University Gyrene handed FNU two dominant losses in Ave Maria, Fla. The Gyrenes (13-4) were quick to run up the score in both contests, earning a 7-1 win over FNU (5-4) in game one and a demoralizing 18-2 rout to close out the afternoon.
In game one, the Conquistadors allowed two runs at the bottom of the second, as the Gyreens scored on back-to-back singles. FNU’s lone hit of the first belonged to the lead-off batter and right fielder Gino Bellantoni. Despite facing a 2-0 deficit, FNU cut the lead with an RBI single from catcher Jeremy De La Cruz that pushed Alejandro De Arazoza in for the score. But AMU answered the call with a one-run, one-hit inning in the second.
Things started to fall apart in the next two defensive possessions for the Conquistadors as an error on first baseman Yordangel Gonzalez and fielders interference allowed the Gyrenes to hang two more runs on the board. The Conquistadors allowed a total of eight stolen bases for the Gyrenes and AMU did just enough at the bottom of the fifth to end the game with a 7-1 win. FNU had seven runs and one error in game one while the Gyrenes tallied eight hits with no errors recorded.
In game two, the Gyrenes were full control with a monster seven-run, seven-hit opening performance at the bottom of the first. Facing a 7-0 deficit after a disastrous opening, FNU went cold from the batter’s box, recording just one hit through three innings. Gonzalez finally delivered a hit in the fourth with a double down the third base line. But FNU retired the side with no runs to show for its efforts.
The fifth, saw FNU spoil the Gyrenes’ hope of a shutout as a two-RBI double from De Arazoza allowed shortstop Jason Altuve and Bellantoni to run in for the Conquistadors’ only scores in game two. AMU ended their 18-2 win with 13 hits and no errors while FNU connected on just three hits while committing two costly errors. The Gyrenes continued to look for opportunities to steal bases, snatching up four in the win.
Up Next: Baseball’s next time on the diamond will be against Voorhees March 4.
