LAKE WALES, Fla. – The Royals baseball team kicked off their final Sun Conference series of the 2015 season on Friday afternoon at Royals Field. The Royals welcomed the Gyrenes of Ave Maria University for a three game set and fell behind early on Friday and never recovered, dropping game one 10-3. The loss drops the Royals to 14-32-1 on the season and 5-18 in league play.

The Gyrenes jumped out a 5-0 lead after the third inning. The Royals scored their only runs on the game in the fourth on a two-run, two-out double from Dylan Gross and an RBI single from Kevin Gregg. After pulling within two runs, Ave Maria scored four runs in the top of the seventh and their final run in the top of the ninth.

The Royals offense was held to eight hits in the loss. Broderick Rodocker and Gregg both finished the game 2-for-4 at the dish. Gross went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Jordan Pike (2-8) took the loss of the mound after allowing five runs on seven hits in his six innings of work. Jimmy Diven threw three innings of relief and allowed five runs on five hits.

The two teams will return to Royals Field on Saturday afternoon for the completion of the series. Saturday's double- header will also serve as Senior Day for five of the Royals' players. Game one of the double-header is scheduled for a 12 p.m. first pitch.