WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team concluded its series against Embry-Riddle on Saturday.

After winning Friday night's game, 1-0, the Sailfish offense exploded for 11 runs in game 1. Home runs from Emma Gipson and Katherine Budnovich highlighted an 11-3 win in six innings to clinch the series. Budnovich hit her third home run of the day in game two, but a late comeback from the Eagles in the seventh inning allowed ERAU to avoid the sweep. The Eagles stole game three, 4-3.

The Sailfish hit the road for a spring break trip to South Carolina for a Monday doubleheader against Lander. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Game One – PBA: 11, ERAU: 3

The Sailfish were forced to play from behind in the first game today after a pair of singles and an error allowed ERAU to take a 1-0 lead. The Eagles tacked on a pair of runs in the third off of two hits and another PBA error which put the 'Fish behind, 3-0. PBA answered in the bottom of the inning. Briana Rodriguez singled to lead off the bottom of the third. She scored off a blast by Budnovich to make it 3-2. Two batters later, Gipson made it a tie game with a home run that looped around the foul pole.

The Sailfish provided Lacy Marty with more run support in the fourth. Daylin Hejtmanek singled and stole second to set up an RBI single by Rodriguez. Budnovich's second homer of the game, made it 6-3. A walk from Maura Glatczak and a double by Elisa Grande gave PBA a 7-3 lead. A leadoff walk from Hayley Haas in the fifth set up Hejtmanek for another single followed by a stolen base to put runners on second and third with one out. Haas made it 8-3 by taking home on a wild pitch.

The game ended after PBA put up three more runs in the sixth inning to bring the run-rule into effect.  Gipson had another RBI double to score Glatczak. A sacrifice fly from Grande allowed McCloskey to score. Lastly, Hejtmanek came through with two outs, singling up the middle to drive in Gipson and win the game for PBA, 11-3.

Marty tossed a complete game in the circle. She allowed one earned run in six innings, surrendering six hits with six strikeouts and no walks. Budnovich totaled four RBIs with two home runs. Gipson went 4-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs. Hejtmanek totaled three hits, one RBI, one stolen base, and one run. Rodriguez had two hits, one stolen base, one walk, and one RBI. Glatcazk went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs.

Game Two – ERAU: 4 – PBA: 3

PBA played from behind in game two. A pair of singles in the top of the third inning gave ERAU a 1-0 lead. The lead did not last long as Budnovich hit her third home run of the day in the bottom of the inning to put the Sailfish in front, 3-1. The Eagles made it 3-2 with a solo home run of their own in the fifth. 

The Eagles were down to their final out in the seventh inning before a pinch-hit single started a rally. A pair of walks loaded the bases, setting up a two-run single to left field which gave ERAU a 4-3 lead. The 'Fish got the tying run to third and the winning run to the plate with two outs, but ERAU avoided the sweep with a strikeout, winning 4-3.

Cambria Arturo pitched 6.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Karen Vasquez closed out the seventh inning, getting the one batter she faced to fly out. Budnovich's three home run day ties Victoria Gonzalez as the only other three home run day in PBA softball history. Gonzalez hit three home runs on March 10, 2015, against Georgia Southwestern.