Ave Maria, Fla. - The Maryville softball team started the 2016 season by splitting a doubleheader against Ave Maria University in Florida. The Saints took game one 4-2 but the host Gyrines rallied in the bottom of the seventh to earn a split 6-5.
 
In game one, Ave Maria scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the first to take the early lead. The Saints rallied with three runs in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Bri Livingston singled, and Wendy Macias doubled to left to get the Saints on the scoreboard. After Alex Flasch was intentionally walked, Krystal Rock drove in the tying run with a single to center. The Saints pulled off a double steal when Flash, who moved to third on the hit, stole home as Rock swiped second as Maryville took a 3-2 lead.
 
In the top of the seventh, Hope Miller was hit by a pitch and stole second. Ashley Marks singled up the middle as Miller scored a valuable insurance run. Macias set down Ave Maria in order in the bottom of the seventh to notch the 4-2 win. She recorded eight strikeouts and gave up just four hits.
 
In game two, Marks started the game with a leadoff single. She raced to third on Sydney Halleen's single. Nikki Taylor drove an RBI single up the middle for a quick 1-0 Saints lead. Ave Maria tied the game in the bottom of the second, but Taylor again plated Marks for a 2-1 lead in the top of the third. Flasch then launched Maryville's first round tripper of the season as her solo homer built a 3-1 edge in the top of the fourth.
 
The Gyrines answered in the bottom of the fourth with two runs to tie the game at 3-3. The Saints responded with two runs in the top of the fifth. Kelsey Martin singled, and Marks followed with an infield hit. With two runners aboard, Halleen's RBI single scored Martin and pushed the Saints ahead 4-3. Marks then stole third base. The swipe proved to be crucial as Taylor hit a sac fly to right as Marks dashed home for a 5-3 advantage. However, Ave Maria scored one run in the bottom of the seventh before Deanna Stirtzinger hit a walk-off two-run double to win it 6-5 for the Gyrines.
 
The Saints are 1-1 on the season while the Gyrines are now 3-2. Maryville is back in action Saturday, as the Saints face Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., for a doubleheader.