WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic softball remained perfect in Sunshine State Conference play on Friday night, as they defeated Florida Tech by a 3-0 score.  The Sailfish used a three-run sixth inning on the night to improve to 20-2 overall and 13-0 in SSC play.  The Panthers fall to 21-15 on the season with the loss.

Both starting pitchers were cruising early on in the series opener, as Ashton Adkins faced off with Melanie Murphy inside the circle.  The Panthers threatened with two baserunners in the first inning, but Adkins struck out Makayla Palmer to end the threat.

The Sailfish didn't get their first hit of the night until the fourth inning, when Maddie Bertisch singled to left.  The 'Fish couldn't score her however and the game remained scoreless. 

The game was scoreless entering the bottom of the sixth, where Claudia Pizzarelli led off with a bunt single.  After Magnolia West was intentionally walked with two outs, Michaela Hynes singled down the left-field line to plate Pizzarelli and break the scoreless tie.  Alexis Brown then stepped in the box as a pinch hitter, and laced a double to left field, scoring Hynes and West to give the 'Fish a commanding 3-0 lead.

Adkins closed the game out with a scoreless seventh to complete the shutout victory.  The senior improves to 7-1 on the season with the win, as she allowed just five hits and struck out four batters. 

West's 21 game hitting streak came to an end on Friday, as this was the first game of the season in which the sophomore didn't record a hit at the plate.

The Sailfish will be back in action tomorrow, March 24 as they complete the three-game series with Florida Tech with a doubleheader.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Simpson Field.