DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Palm Beach Atlantic softball split the Monday double header with No. 7 North Georgia. After dropping the first game, the Sailfish (11-12) bounced back and beat the Nighthawks (18-6) in the eighth inning of the second game.

Game 1: No. 7 North Georgia 4, Palm Beach Atlantic 1

The Sailfish and Nighthawks were scoreless through two and a half innings on the day when UNG broke through in the third inning.  North Georgia had the bases loaded and one out before scoring two runs on a Sailfish error.  Katherine Budnovich, who hit two batters to start the inning, was able to work out of a bases-loaded jam to limit the damage to just the two runs.

UNG added one in the fourth as a leadoff double led to a run scoring with two outs on a wild pitch.

The 'Fish finally got a rally going offensively in the top of the fifth as Kaylee Winn led off with a walk and advanced to second on a bunt single from Janie McCloskey.  After a Maddie Biggs sacrifice bunt, Alexis Guerra smoked a single to left field that plated the first Sailfish run of the day. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, UNG pitcher Kylee Smith struck out the next two hitters to strand the tying runs on base.

The 'Fish got runners to second and third again in the sixth inning, but Smith came up with a big strikeout again to end the PBA threat and keep the UNG lead at 3-1.

UNG scored their fourth and final run in the sixth inning as once again a run came in with a two-out wild pitch.

Maddie Biggs led off the seventh with a double to center but was stranded as the 'Fish fell by the 4-1 final. PBA outhit North Georgia 6-3 in the game but wildness in the circle and a couple errors in the field made the difference in the game.

Game 2: Palm Beach Atlantic 3, No. 7 North Georgia 1

The 'Fish got on the board first in the top of the second when two walks and an error by the Nighthawks lead to a PBA run from a single off the bat of Budnovich through the right side pushing Hannah Carlton across the plate. The Nighthawks were quick to recoup scoring on a double to left center to even the score at 1-1.

With two outs in the top of the eighth Alexis Guerra walked before Biggs singled down the left field line advancing to second on an error. Then Taylor Pennica came in to pinch hit and hit a single to score both runners giving the Sailfish all the runs they needed to win the game 3-1.

Abbey Busby pitched a gem to get her eighth win of the season. Busby pitched all eight innings giving up only three hits and one run while striking out six.

The Sailfish will return to action tomorrow, March 5 as they will take on Columbus State in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. in Columbus, Ga.