DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Fourth-seeded Ave Maria won its first-ever game in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round on Thursday morning, downing fifth-seeded Martin Methodist, 3-2 in 10 innings at Embry-Riddle's Sliwa Stadium. The Gyrenes advance to take on the host Eagles at 6 p.m. tonight

Ethan Striz and Josh Brown gave AMU and MMC seven and nine strong innings respectively, holding their opponents to two runs each. Striz scattered 10 hits and one walk while Brown pitched nine fames, allowing seven hits, one earned run with two strikeouts.

Ave Maria took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth, but a single by Evan Ferguson scored Matt Thomas from second with two outs to tie the game at 2-2.

Two great defensive plays by both teams in the ninth sent the game to extras as Zach Bailey threw out the go-ahead Gyrene run at home in the top of the frame before Trace McDermott turned a double play at third in the bottom of the inning.

AMU got a base hit from Aaron Pigna that plated Patrick Fahey in the next half-inning, and Zach Quayle worked around a runner at second in the bottom of the 10th to secure the 3-2 victory.