WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic split a doubleheader with Columbus State on Saturday, losing the first game 7-6 then bouncing back to take the final game of the day 8-0.

The Sailfish will begin Sunshine State Conference play on Friday, as they begin a weekend series with Barry University.  First pitch is set for 6 p.m. from Simpson Field.

Game One: Columbus State 7, Palm Beach Atlantic 6

The Sailfish got off to a rough start on Saturday, as Columbus State quickly jumped out to a five run lead.  The Sailfish were slow out of the gate in all facets of the game, as they made a couple of early errors and struggled at the plate.  The 'Fish cut the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the second as Magnolia West singled down the left field line.

The Cougars bounced right back in the third, as another Sailfish error led to two unearned runs for CSU.  The 'Fish scored an unearned run of their own in the third, but stranded a couple runners to remain down 7-3. 

The 'Fish had a nice rally in the sixth inning, as a Loren Kilgore double drove in Mikayla Hynes and cut the lead to 7-5.  Maddie Bertisch followed with her second hit of the game, which scored Kilgore and cut the lead to 7-6.

West was able to reach on a two-out single in the ninth, but that was the only baserunner the 'Fish managed as they fell by the 7-6 final.

Game Two: Palm Beach Atlantic 8, Columbus State 0 (5 innings)

It was all Sailfish in the finale Saturday afternoon, as Ashton Adkins threw a complete-game shutout and the Sailfish mustered 13 hits. 

The 'Fish wasted no time in the game, as they quickly loaded the bases in the first inning with one out.  Freshman Taylor Pennica drilled a single to center field, which was misplayed by the Cougar outfield and allowed all three runners to score.  Brianna Rano singled later in the inning to plate Pennica, and Maddie Biggs followed with an RBI walk.  West knocked in the final run of the inning with a single to center field as the 'Fish led 6-0 after one.

Adkins worked out of jams in the second and third innings, and West drove in another run in the bottom of the third with a RBI groundout.

Hannah Carlton came off the bench to drive in the final run of the day for the 'Fish, who improved to 4-2 overall with the win.

West and Kilgore both picked up multiple hits for the 'Fish, as West finished with two RBIs and two runs scored as well.