TAMPA, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team took on the Tampa Spartans for the first game of a three-game Sunshine State Conference series. The Spartans took over the game in the fifth inning, winning 12-1.
 
The Sailfish kept things close early against the Spartans, who sport the best record in the SSC as well as a number one ranking in the country according to NCWBA. The score was tied for the first four innings, with neither team giving up an inch.
 
In the fifth, the Spartans turned things up and never looked back. Two RBI singles started the inning and a three-run home run by INF Jamarcus Lyons capped off a big run, making the score 5-0. The offensive surge continued in the seventh. Errors and some wild pitches by the 'Fish allowed three more runs to score.
 
PBA would get a run of their own in the eighth inning, but Tampa's big offensive night was still going. The Spartans would get four more runs off of an RBI double, a passed ball, and some walks by the PBA pitching staff.
 
The Sailfish will look to the doubleheader on Saturday to bounce back from this loss. They will need to get back on track offensively after only notching four total hits and leaving seven runners on base. A series win for PBA is important for their post-season hopes as the season has just reached the halfway point.