ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic softball picked up their first sweep of the season this weekend, as they picked up three wins over Eckerd College to improve to 19-14 on the season and 7-5 in SSC play. The 'Fish have now won six games in a row and swept Eckerd for the second season in a row.
Game 1: Palm Beach Atlantic 4, Eckerd 2 (8 innings)
The Sailfish fell behind 2-0 early in the opener on Saturday and were unable to come up with a big hit early on as they trailed 2-0 heading to the fifth inning where Hannah Carlton led off with a walk, and advanced to third as Taylor Pennica drilled a double off the left-field fence. Carlton came around to score on a Magnolia West squeeze bunt and the 'Fish tied the game at two after Maddie Bertisch came through with a two-out single to left field.
Neither team was able to score again in regulation as the game headed to extra innings. Bertisch led off the eighth with an infield single for the 'Fish and advanced to second on a sac bunt from Kathryn Sutton. After stealing third, Bertisch came around to score the go-ahead run on an Eckerd error. The 'Fish added an insurance run in the eighth, as Kaylee Winn doubled to center to start a new rally and the 'Fish later scored on a Hayley Haas pinch-hit single to right.
Katherine Budnovich started the game in the circle for the 'Fish, and gave way to Abbey Busby in the fourth inning. Busby pitched the final 4.1 innings on the day and gave up just one hit to pick up the win. Busby and Budnovich combined to strike out 10 hitters in the game.
Bertisch led the 'Fish by going a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in the opening game Saturday.
Game 2: Palm Beach Atlantic 9, Eckerd 4
The Sailfish bats came alive early in the series finale, as West led off with a single to center, and after a Budnovich walk, Winn singled to load the bases and with two outs, Edmilly Molina returned from and injury to line a two-run single to centerfield to give the 'Fish a lead.
Eckerd got one run in the bottom half, but the 'Fish struck again in the second inning, as Bertisch drove home a run with a fielder's choice, and Budnovich doubled home two more to give the 'Fish a 5-1 lead.
Molina doubled to left to open the third inning and Alexis Guerra was hit by pitch with one out. Kaley Hinds drilled her first collegiate homer to right field, a three-run shot with one out to give the 'Fish a commanding 8-1 lead.
Eckerd was able to chip into the lead with runs in the third and fourth innings, and the 'Fish added a run in the top of the seventh as Emma Gipson lined an RBI single to center field with two outs to give the 'Fish a 9-4 lead.
Busby picked up the win in the circle, as she allowed just one run in five innings to improve to 15-6 on the season.
West went 3-for-5 in the finale, as she also scored two runs in the game.
PBA will be back in action on Friday, March 22 as they host Lynn at 6 p.m. at Simpson Field.
