VIERA, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team played its final day at the FT Invitational on Sunday against Molloy.
 
The Sailfish needed an extra inning of work, but they defeated the Lions in eight innings in a 1-0 pitcher's duel. Katherine Budnovich went the distance for PBA (7-3) in the circle. In her eight innings pitched, she struck out 11 Molloy (0-4) batters and surrendered just four hits on her way to earning the shutout win.
 
PBA scored its only run of the game in the top of the eighth inning with the international tiebreaker rule in effect. The Sailfish started the inning with Liz Albertini at second base and the top of the order up to bat. Albertini advanced on a sac bunt from Magnolia west to put a runner at third with one out. A fly-ball from Alexis Guerra was dropped in left-field and put the Sailfish on the board. PBA took a 1-0 lead to the bottom of the inning. 
 
After advancing their leadoff batter to third base, it seemed as if the Lions were going to tie the game. Budnovich had other plans as she struck out the next batter to get the second out of the frame. The game was ended by a line drive that was caught by a leaping Edmilly Molina at third that prevented the tying run from scoring.
 
The 'Fish outhit Molloy 5-4 at the plate. Both teams had missed opportunities on offense  as the Lions left 8 runners on base while PBA stranded seven baserunners. Today's win wrapped up a 3-2 weekend for the 'Fish at the FT Invitational.
 
PBA had a chance to take an early lead in the second inning. With Janie McCloskey on first, Hannah Carlton doubled down the right field line to put runners and second and third with one out; however, they remained stranded.
 
Budnovich gave up her first hits of the game in the fourth inning. Molloy had runners on first and second, but the sophomore forced a strikeout and a groundout to escape the inning unscathed. The 'Fish were inches away from scoring in the sixth inning as Guerra tried to score from first on a Maddie Biggs double. Guerra avoided the initial tag at the plate, but the umpire ruled that she did not touch home and she was tagged out by the catcher to keep the game scoreless.
 
Molloy nearly walked it off in the bottom of the seventh, but the Lions were unable to get that clutch hit off Budnovich. MC had a runner on second with two outs and its leadoff hitter at the plate. She sent a hard groundball to third base, but Molina dove to her left to make the plate and save the game for PBA which allowed it to score the winning run in the eighth.
 
The Sailfish will begin their Sunshine State Conference schedule this weekend against Tampa and home. The game at Simpson Field on Friday night will take place at 6 p.m.