WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic softball dropped a doubleheader to the University of Tampa on Saturday, falling to the Spartans by scores of 6-3 and 3-1. The Spartans are the first team to take a series from the Sailfish this season, as the Sailfish drop to 28-5 on the season and 21-3 in Sunshine State Conference play. Tampa improves to 23-15 on the year with the doubleheader sweep over the Sailfish.
The Sailfish will travel to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. next weekend for a three-game series against the Nova Southeastern Sharks.
Game One: Tampa 6, No. 4 Palm Beach Atlantic 3
Tampa took an early lead in the first game of the day, as they scored a run on a Maddie Farre RBI single in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Sailfish starter Ashton Adkins then retired two batters with the bases loaded to get out of the jam and end the top of the first.
The game remained 1-0 Spartans until the third inning, when Michaela Hynes laced a two-out single to left field, scoring two runs and giving the 'Fish a lead.
The Sailfish held their 2-1 lead until the fifth inning, where Tampa scored three runs and took a 4-2 lead. The Spartans added two more runs in the sixth inning to open up a four-run lead.
PBA got another run in the seventh inning on another Hynes RBI single, but were unable to do any more damage and the Spartans held on to win 6-3.
Both teams picked up 10 hits in the game, as Hynes led the way with three hits and three RBIs. Magnolia West and Hannah Carlton added two hits each, as West also scored two runs.
Game Two: Tampa 3, No. 4 Palm Beach Atlantic 1
The Sailfish and Spartans were locked in a pitcher's duel in the series finale, as the Sailfish and Spartans were both kept scoreless into the fifth inning. Tampa broke through with a two-out, three-run home run in the fifth inning off the bat of Shelby Press.
The Sailfish were unable to come up with the big hit in the game, as they scored their lone run on a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning off the bat of Kaley Hinds.
The 'Fish picked up four hits in the series finale, as Claudia Pizzarelli, Maddie Bertisch, Taylor Pennica, and Hinds recorded hits in the game.