MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team finished its season on Sunday with a doubleheader against the Panthers of Florida Tech.
After splitting Saturday's doubleheader in two low-scoring games, the Sailfish earned a pair of wins as the offense came alive. PBA took the lead in game one after a five-run fifth inning.
Emma Gipson totaled six RBIs in the game as the 'Fish took the opening contest, 8-3. Florida Tech nearly stole a victory down the stretch in game two when it took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth. After tying the game in the seventh, the 'Fish plated four runs in the ninth inning to win 9-5 and earn the sweep on the day.
Today's game concluded the season for the 'Fish who finished with a 17-12 overall record and a 13-10 record in the Sunshine State Conference. PBA ended the season fourth in the league standings.
Game One: PBA 8, FT 3
Florida Tech scored first in game one with two runs on three hits and a passed ball in the bottom of the third inning. The Sailfish recorded their first hit of the game in the fourth inning with a leadoff double by
Faith Allen, but she was stranded. The offense broke through in the fifth for PBA as
Maura Glatczak,
Taylor Pennica and
Dallas Watterson started the inning with three singles which made it a 2-1 game. A passed ball allowed
Isabella Hernandez to score and tie the game at two. A single by Allen loaded the bases which set up a bases clearing double by Gipson which made it 5-2, PBA.
Abbey Busby started her final game in the circle. She surrendered her third run in the bottom of the sixth as the Panthers doubled with two outs, then scored on a single to keep FT in striking distance. The 'Fish added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh. It was Gipson who did damage again with a three-run home run to score
Meredith Milam and Allen to make it 8-3.
Busby shut down the hosts in the bottom of the frame. She gave up two earned runs in seven innings with eight hits, no walks and three strikeouts. After going hitless for the first three innings, PBA ended the game with 10 hits. Allen, Gipson, Glatczak and Pennica tallied two hits each. Gipson's six RBIs tied for second for most RBIs in a game in the PBA record books.
Game Two: PBA 9, FT 5
PBA wasted no time scoring in the second game. Allen started the rally with a single up the middle, followed by a single through the right side by Milam. Allen scored on a fielder's choice from Gipson to give the 'Fish a 1-0 lead. PBA added two more in the second inning with a
Janie McCloskey two-run double to score Watterson and Hernandez. FT answered with a run in the bottom of the second to make it 3-1 through two innings.
An RBI double by Watterson scored PBA's fourth run of the contest in the fourth inning. FT added one run on three hits in the bottom of the frame. The Panthers put up a three-spot in the sixth inning after starting the inning with a single and a walk. Some FT small ball allowed it to take a 5-4 lead through six innings.
With two outs in the seventh, PBA was down to its last strike. Allen sent a groundball to second base who bobbled the ball which allowed
Sammy Perez enough time to score from second to tie the game at five. PBA pulled away in the ninth, starting with a walk by Pennica and single from
Briana Rodriguez. Allen came trhough with a two-out double to make it 7-5. Milam followed with a single to score Allen to make it 8-5 and last, but not least, Gipson tripled to score Milam and make it 9-5 PBA.
Busby closed the game out in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and earning the win. A fitting end to her college career. She finishes as the second-winningest pitcher in PBA history and finished with the lowest career ERA in PBA's DII-era.
Cambria Arturo got the start in the game, surrendering five runs on six hits with two walks. Allen, Milam and Watterson tallied two hits each. Allen recorded two RBIs and two runs to go with her base knocks.
