SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team played its first game in two weeks on Friday night, opening a series against Saint Leo.
The Lions (25-16, 13-12) entered today's game ranked No. 8 in the NCAA South Region rankings. Tonight's game experienced a lightning delay after the first 1.5 innings of play. After play resumed PBA (13-25, 12-16 SSC) hung with the hosts, but ultimately fell short, 3-1 after bringing the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning.
Meredith Milam had an excellent showing at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
Briana Rodriguez went 1-for-2 with a walk and run scored. PBA totaled eight hits as a team and left seven runners on base.
Cambria Arturo got the start in the circle. She tossed 5.1 innings, surrendering three runs on seven hits and two walks.
Karen Vasquez relieved her in the sixth inning. She allowed one hit in 0.2 innings.
The 'Fish had an opportunity to take an early lead after Milam led off the game with a double to the left-centerfield fence. She was stranded after three consecutive strikeouts. PBA's defense kept the game scoreless in the bottom of the inning. With runners on first and third,
Maura Glatczak got the runner at third to bite on a fake throw and was able to pick off the runner for the first out of the inning.
Evoni Rodriguez ended the inning with a 5-3 double play to get Arturo out of the jam.
Following an approximately 25-minute rain delay, Saint Leo resumed play with a bang. A home run to straightaway centerfield on the first pitch of the bottom of the second gave SLU a 1-0 lead. PBA tried to answer in the third as E. Rodriguez led off the frame with a single followed by a walk by Milam. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, a popout and picked-off runner killed the rally opportunity.
The Lions added two more runs in the sixth inning on two hits, an error, and a passed ball which gave the hosts a 3-0 lead. B. Rodriguez and
Hayley Haas led off the seventh with a pair of hits. After a strikeout, a fielder's choice drove in B. Rodriguez and gave PBA a runner on first with two outs. The tying run came to the plate in the form of
Katherine Budnovich, but a groundout at first ended the game with the Lions winning 3-1.
The Sailfish conclude their season tomorrow with a doubleheader. Game one's start time was moved up due to impending weather. The first pitch at Saint Leo takes place at 9:30 a.m.
