FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team finished its series against Nova Southeastern on Friday with a day doubleheader.
The start time of the doubleheader was moved up to noon to avoid impending rain; however, game one experienced a weather delay and didn't start until 2:30 p.m. PBA's offensive woes continued, as the Sailfish had bad luck at the dish. PBA put the bat to the ball, but the Sharks countered with clean defense. The Sharks won the first game, 2-0, followed by a 3-0 win in game two to complete the sweep of the Sailfish.
PBA has two weeks off before playing its final series of the season. The Sailfish begin a series against Saint Leo on April 29. The first pitch in Saint Leo, Fla. takes place at 7 p.m.
Game One - NSU: 2, PBA: 0
The Sailfish had an opportunity to take an early lead in game one.
Daylin Hejtmanek started the game with a single and stolen base. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt.
Meredith Milam was hit by a pitch and stole second to give the 'Fish runners on second and third with one out. The Sharks got out of the jam by forcing a pop-out and strikeout.
Nova Southeastern got on the board in the bottom of the first. A hit, stolen base, and fielder's choice gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead. PBA's
Emma Gipson led off the second with a single, but she was left stranded on base. NSU added an insurance run in the sixth. A walk and a pair of hits gave the Sharks a 2-0 lead late in the game. With one out in the seventh,
Janie McCloskey tried to start a rally with a single through the left side. Gipson was hit by a pitch to put two runners on and bring the go-ahead run to the plate. The Sharks closed the door on the comeback attempt with a flyout and a lineout to secure the 2-0 win and clinch the series.
Lacy Marty started in the circle for the Sailfish. She allowed two runs on eight hits with one walk and three strikeouts. PBA finished with three hits in the game.
Game Two - NSU: 3, PBA: 0
After three lineouts by the 'Fish in the top of the first, the Sharks scored in the first inning of game two. A single, a groundout, and a single to centerfield gave NSU a 1-0 lead. PBA had runners on base in the second, third, and fourth innings, but failed to breakthrough.
PBA's best chance to score came in the fourth inning. Milam doubled to lead off the inning, and McCloskey was hit by a pitch following a strikeout. A flyout moved the runners to second and third, but a strikeout ended the inning. NSU added two more runs off three singles and two walks in the fourth inning to take a 3-0 lead.
Gipson doubled to centerfield in the seventh, but that was all PBA could do as the Sharks closed out the game and completed the sweep.
Karen Vasquez started in the circle. She pitched 3.2 innings, giving up three runs on eight hits and two walks with one strikeout.
Cambria Arturo entered the game in relief. She pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk with two strikeouts. The Sailfish recorded three hits as a team.
