DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Playing in its first-ever NAIA Opening Round contest, the Martin Methodist Baseball team had several chances slip away in a 3-2 10-inning loss to Ave Maria (Fla.) University Thursday morning at Sliwa Stadium.
After Evan Fergerson's tied the ballgame at 2-2 with a two-out RBI single in the eighth, it looked as if the RedHawks (38-18) might stage another late-inning rally to claim their first-ever Opening Round victory.
In the 10th, however, the Gyrenes (38-19) pieced together a two-out run of their own to ensure the victory. After Pete Lesniewski led off the inning with a double down the left-field line, RedHawks reliever Clay Brown recorded back-to-back strikeouts to put the pressure back on the Gyrenes.
Unfortunately for the RedHawks, Gyrene second baseman Aaron Pigna ripped a single back up the middle that was just beyond Brown's outstretched glove to plate the game-winning run.
Despite falling behind, the RedHawks attempted one final rally in the bottom half of the inning that fell just short.
With one out, RedHawk second baseman Matt Thomas slapped a single deep into the hole on the left side of the infield that got away from Gyrenes shortstop Alex Sanchez, allowing the RedHawk senior to advance to second base.
Nick Flanagan and Erick Bonifacio both flew out, however, to give the Gyrenes, not the RedHawks, their first-ever Opening Round victory in school history.
The loss spoiled a strong effort on the mound from RedHawk starter Josh Brown, who scattered seven hits over 9.0 innings and allowed just two runs – only one of which was earned – in the no decision.
Reliever Clay Brown (7-4) suffered the loss while Gyrenes reliever Zach Quayle (8-2) picked up the win on the mound.
The loss was especially painful for the RedHawks, who scored just three runs on 13 hits while committing three errors. The RedHawks left a total of nine runners on base and hit into three inning-ending double plays.
Clint Gobbell and Thomas both finished the afternoon 3-for-5 at the plate while Ryan Jett and Zach Bailey both notched a pair of hits each – all singles.
Bailey also made a huge play in the top of the 9th to help send the game into extra innings, gunning down the potential go-ahead run at the plate after a deep fly ball to right field that ended the inning.
With the loss, the RedHawks dropped into the loser's bracket of the Regional and will meet Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) Friday morning in an elimination game. The third-seeded Blue Raiders (42-18) suffered a 4-1 loss to No. 2 Concordia in their first matchup of the Regional Thursday afternoon.
Friday's matchup will mark the ultimate rubber match between the two ball clubs, with the RedHawks splitting a pair of games against the Blue Raiders on April 12 - 13 in Columbia, Ky.
First pitch in Friday's game is set for 10 a.m. EST at Sliwa Stadium in Daytona Beach.
