LAKELAND, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic softball used a five-run third inning and dominant pitching to win their 23rd consecutive game, a 9-0 win over Florida Southern College at newly opened Chris Belotto Field. The Sailfish improve to 26-2 on the season while remaining perfect with their 19-0 Sunshine State Conference record. Florida Southern drops to 22-14 with the loss.
The Sailfish loaded the bases in a scoreless game in the third inning, as Michaela Hynes put the Sailfish ahead with an RBI walk. The next hitter for the 'Fish was Hannah Carlton, who blasted a grand slam over the left-field wall, the first grand slam in Belotto Field history, which put the 'Fish ahead 5-0.
The Sailfish added two more runs in the fourth, as Magnolia West knocked in Maddie Biggs with a triple to right, and came around to score on a Claudia Pizzarelli single.
The Sailfish received an outstanding pitching performance from Ashton Adkins, who picked up the win to improve to 10-1 on the year. Adkins threw four scoreless innings, allowing three hits along the way. Jana Wagner pitched the final three innings, not allowing a run to pick up her sixth save of the year.
West finished 2-for-4 at the plate, as she scored a run and drove in another. Pizzarelli also had a great day offensively, as the senior went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
The Sailfish and Moccasins will play a doubleheader to close out their weekend series tomorrow, beginning at 11 a.m.
