WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team had a top-10 matchup on the road at No. 8-ranked Rollins on Thursday.
Strong performances from PBA's starting pitchers kept the Sailfish (12-9, 10-7 SSC) competitive in each game; however, a lack of offense hurt the 'Fish's attempt at putting Rollins (12-1, 10-1 SSC) on upset alert.
Abbey Busby pitched eight scoreless innings in game one, but the Tars walked off in the ninth to take the conference game, 1-0.
Cambria Arturo held the Tar's to just two runs, but PBA was held scoreless yet again, dropping game two, 2-0.
The Sailfish are scheduled to conclude their series against the Tars on Saturday. The first game at Simpson Field is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Game one: Rollins 1, PBA 0
PBA had a chance to get on the board early in game one when
Briana Rodriguez led off the game with an infield single. She advanced to second on a groundout, but was thrown out trying to steal third to end the first frame. The single by Rodriguez was the only hit the Sailfish could muster in the game.
Even though Busby totaled a career-high seven walks in her start, the senior pitcher worked her way out of every jam. Busby stranded a runner in scoring pitching in six of her innings pitched. Busby was on her way to pitching her ninth scoreless inning in the game; however, the Tars ended the game on one swing after a solo home run resulted in a walk off win for Rollins.
Busby finished with a line of one run on six hits in 8.1 innings with seven walks and six strikeouts. The Sailfish totaled two base runners in the contest.
Game two: Rollins 2, PBA 0
Rollins kept its momentum going in the second game. The Tars got on the board in the first inning after a leadoff single and stolen base set up a ground out a sacrifice fly to give RC a 1-0 lead. PBA had a chance to retaliate in the third inning. With two outs, Rodriguez started a rally with an infield single and
Katherine Budnovich followed with a single up the middle.
Meredith Milam was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the 'Fish, but a strikeout got Rollins out of the inning unscathed.
The Tars extended their lead with another solo home run in the third inning. PBA started the inning with a hit batter in the fifth inning, but were unable to manufacture a run.
Taylor Pennica got on base with a walk, but she was stranded on base as PBA was held hitless after the fifth.
Hayley Haas got on base to give the 'Fish a chance in the seventh, but she got doubled up on a lineout to end the game with a 2-0 Rollins win.
Arturo surrendered two runs in six innings pitched on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
