ST. LEO, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic softball completed their regular season on a high note Friday, as they swept Saint Leo University on the road. With the sweep of the Lions, who were ranked third in the most recent regional rankings, the Sailfish complete the regular season with a 33-6 record and a 26-4 mark in league play. The Sailfish clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament last week by winning the SSC Championship and will now wait and see who their regional opponents will be.
Game One: No. 8 Palm Beach Atlantic 2, Saint Leo 0
The Sailfish once again got production from the middle of their batting order, as Michaela Hynes put the Sailfish on the scoreboard with a two-run double in the third inning. Hynes drove in Alison Yawn and Alexis Guerra with the double, and put the 'Fish ahead 2-0.
Ashton Adkins was dominant in the circle on Saturday, as the senior fired seven shutout innings against the Lions, allowing just three hits and walked just one batter. Adkins improved to 12-3 on the season with the shutout victory.
The Sailfish collected five hits in total, as Hynes led the way with two doubles in the game.
Game Two: No. 8 Palm Beach Atlantic 4, Saint Leo 3 (11 innings)
The Sailfish scored two early runs in the final game of the series, as Maddie Biggs picked up an RBI with a walk and Brianna Rano drove in a run with an RBI ground out.
Abbey Busby got the start in the finale for the 'Fish, and picked up where she left off last night, as she started the game with five shutout innings.
The Sailfish extended their lead in the sixth as Hynes blasted another homer, her sixth of the season to give the 'Fish a 3-0 lead.
The Lions battled back however in the bottom half, as they scored three runs on five hits to tie the game up.
Adkins entered in relief of Busby, and continued her dominance of the Saint Leo lineup, keeping them off the scoreboard for several innings. The game remained 3-3 until the 11th inning, when Kaley Hinds singled up the middle to plate Claudia Pizzarelli and give the 'Fish a lead.
Adkins retired the Lions in the bottom half to complete the sweep for the Sailfish, as she finished the weekend with 13.2 shutout innings, and picked up two wins and a save.
PBA recorded 13 hits in the game, as Pizzarelli led the way with her 3-for-5 game. Hynes, Carlton, Bertisch, and Hinds also had multiple-hit games in the series finale.
