MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic softball split a doubleheader with Barry on Wednesday, as the 'Fish took game one 5-1 before falling in the series finale 6-2. The Sailfish are now 6-8 on the season and 2-4 in Sunshine State Conference play while the Bucs sit at 8-8 overall and 3-3 in league play.
Game 1: Palm Beach Atlantic 5, Barry 1
PBA got on the scoreboard first in the opening game of the day, as Maddie Bertisch reached on a Buccaneer error and came around to score on a Katherine Budnovich RBI double. The Bucs wasted no time in responding as they scored an unearned run in the bottom half of the first off Sailfish starter Abbey Busby.
The 'Fish scored again in the second inning, as Busby reached on a walk and moved up to second on a Sarah Thomas single. Busby came around to score on Hayley Haas' first collegiate hit later in the inning, and Thomas scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
The Sailfish added a run in the fourth inning as Busby led off with a single and pinch-runner came around to score on a wild pitch. The 'Fish added an insurance run in the top of the sixth, and Taylor Pennica entered and shut the door on the Bucs with two scoreless innings. Busby picked up the win in the game as the sophomore threw five strong innings, allowing just the one unearned run and four hits while striking out four.
The 'Fish collected five total hits in the game as Budnovich extended her hitting streak to 11 games and went 2-for-3 in the game.
Game 2: Barry 6, Palm Beach Atlantic 2
PBA once again got on the board first when Bertisch had an RBI single to third base that brought home Magnolia West who tripled in her third inning at bat. Barry quickly answered back scoring a run in the bottom half of the inning.
Barry broke things open in the fourth as they scored three runs on a sac fly, a RBI single, and an RBI double putting the score 4-1 after four. In the fifth they added another run on a single to center field.
The Bucs tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth before PBA gave a final comeback effort in the seventh. Busby hit a double down the left field line and Bertish doubled down the same line to score Busby before the Bucs would get out of trouble and secure the victory.
West and Bertisch each had two hits in the game. Budnovich was able to go 1-for-4 to extend her hitting streak to 12 games.
The Sailfish will return to action on Friday as they will open up play at the Florida Tech Invitational in Melbourne, Fla. with a game against Columbus State at 4 p.m.
