WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team started its series against Barry with a single game against the Bucs on Friday. The game was previously scheduled for Thursday, but was pushed back a day due to rain.
The Sailfish (8-5, 7-3 SSC) played a complete game on offense and defense, leading to a comfortable 5-1 win against Barry (4-8, 2-7 SSC).
Abbey Busby moved to 7-0 on the year, tossing a complete game one-hitter with three strikeouts. PBA's conference record moves to 7-3, its best 10-game conference record since its SSC Championship 2018 season.
Defensive miscues by the Bucs opened the door for PBA to take an early lead in the bottom of the first. After two quick outs, a dropped flyball, followed by a base hit by
Meredith Milam put runners on second and third.
Katherine Budnovich got PBA on the board by scoring on a wild pitch.
Janie McCloskey made it a 2-0 lead with an RBI-single to score Milam. Another Barry error moved McCloskey into scoring position which set up a
Dallas Watterson RBI-single, giving the Sailfish a 3-0 lead.
That was plenty of run support for Busby who surrendered her only hit on a bunt single in the third inning. A throwing error on the play allowed to runner to move in scoring position with no outs. A groundout moved the runner to third before scoring on an RBI-groundout which cut the lead to 3-1. PBA answered in the bottom of the inning. Milam set the table with a one-out double. She scored after an RBI-single from
Maura Glatczak to give PBA a 4-1 lead.
The Sailfish added another insurance run in the fifth inning thanks to a sacrifice fly by Milam which scored
Faith Allen. That was all just a formality as Busby continued to take care of business in the circle. The senior retired the final 12 batters of the game in order to secure the victory for PBA.
Milam and McCloskey led the Sailfish with two hits, one double and one RBI each. Glatczak and Watterson each tallied RBIs while Allen and Budnovich each recorded one run scored.
This is the third game in a row PBA has won against the Bucs. The Sailfish conclude their series against the Bucs with a doubleheader on Saturday. Game One in Miami Shores, Fla. takes place at 1 p.m.
