WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- Palm Beach Atlantic baseball dropped the series opener against Eckerd College Friday night in a game that required extra innings to determine a winner. The Sailfish (4-6) got the early lead but the Tritons (9-3) made a slow comeback before gaining the lead and winning in the 10th inning by a score of 7-3.
The Sailfish got on the board early in the bottom of the first as Brandon Smith hit a chopper to third that he beat out at first. The third baseman rushed his throw and threw it away which allowed Brandon Seltzer to score who had singled to lead off the game for the 'Fish.
PBA added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth when Connor Rowland laced a single to left scoring Danny Tufariello and Smith for a two RBI. Â
Mitchell Carroll threw well through the first four innings before things went array in the fifth. The Tritons had man on first and second with two outs when Mitch Calandra hit a double to left centerfield scoring the two runs. Carroll left the game after 4.2 innings giving up four hits and two runs with four strike outs and four walks. Heath Hawkins came in and finished the inning.
Hawkins pitched well going 3.1 innings in relief giving up just two hits and one run in the eighth inning which tied the game.
In the 10th the Tritons used three hits, three walks, and an error to put up four runs to make the score 7-3, a lead in which the Sailfish could not come back from in the bottom of the inning.
The Sailfish and the Tritons are set to do battle again on Saturday Feb. 23 to finish the series. First pitch of the double header is scheduled for noon.
