WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic softball picked up their 20th win in a row, defeating Embry-Riddle by a 3-2 score on Thursday night at Simpson Field. The Sailfish needed extra innings for the win, as a Kaley Hinds single in the bottom of the ninth provided the walk-off victory and improved the 'Fish to 23-2 on the year. The Sailfish remain unbeaten in SSC play with their 16-0 record.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard first, as Mariana Pereira drove in a run on an infield single in the third. The 'Fish answered in a hurry however, as Hannah Carlton drove in Claudia Pizzarelli with a single in the bottom half of the inning, and the 'Fish grabbed a lead on a Michaela Hynes RBI single later in the inning.
The Sailfish held the 2-1 lead until the sixth as Abbey Busby was pitching well on the night. The Eagles tied it on an infield single in the sixth. Neither team scored in the seventh as the game headed to extras.
Both teams threatened in the eighth inning, but the pitchers escaped jams as the game headed to the ninth inning.
Ashton Adkins entered to pitch the ninth, and threw a scoreless frame to bring the Sailfish up to bat in the bottom half. Hynes doubled to deep left to put the winning run in scoring position, and Alexis Guerra singled through the left side to advance Hynes to third. With two outs and the bases loaded, Hinds smacked a single up the middle, plating Hynes to give the Sailfish the victory.
Adkins improved to 8-1 with the win in relief of Busby, who pitched well herself on the night. Busby threw 8 innings, striking out seven batters and allowing two runs.
Hynes finished 2-for-5 on the night, as she scored a run and drove in another. Pizzarelli was the only other 'Fish with multiple hits in the game, as the senior finished 2-for-3 in the series opener.
The Sailfish and Eagles will be back in action tomorrow, as they will play a doubleheader beginning at noon,
