LAKELAND, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team started its series against Florida Southern on Friday night.
After trailing for most of the game, the Sailfish (12-20, 11-11 SSC) nearly pulled off a come-from-behind-win. The Sailfish struck for two runs in the top of the sixth to tie the game at two; however, the Mocs quickly regained the lead by scoring two runs in the bottom of the inning to retake a 4-2 lead. PBA went down in order in the seventh as FSC (15-18, 4-12 SSC) secured the 4-2 win in the first game of the series.
The Sailfish did not record a hit until the fifth inning. PBA finished the game with four hits as a team.
Daylin Hejtmanek recorded PBA's first hit of the game with a single of the middle.
Janie McCloskey went 1-for-2 with a walk on the day.
Meredith Milam and
Katherine Budnovich also found their way into the hit column.
Cambria Arturo got the start in the circle. She tossed six innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.
A walk and an error set up Florida Southern for an RBI double in the bottom of the first. After a popout, PBA had an error throwing the ball back to the pitcher which moved the runner to second, leading to the RBI double. The Mocs pushed across another run in the third inning. A single up the middle followed by a double down the left-field line made it a 2-0 game.
It stayed a 2-0 game until the sixth inning. Milam doubled to lead off the frame, followed by a single to right field by Budnovich to put runners at first and third.
Emma Gipson sent a ball to first that was bobbled by the Mocs to allow Milam to score. An infield single by McCloskey loaded the bases with no outs. PBA nearly ran into a triple play.
Maura Glatczak grounded into a 1-2-3 double play, and the pinch-running
Evoni Rodriguez rounded third hard and got caught in a rundown. She was called safe at home to tie the game after the FSC pitcher bobbled the catch for the play at the plate.
The contest didn't stay tied for long. The Mocs led off the bottom of the sixth with a pair of base hits. A sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out. FSC came through with a single to left field which scored both runners and gave the Mocs a 4-2 lead. That was plenty of run support as the Sailfish went down quietly in the seventh.
PBA concludes the series against the Mocs with a Saturday doubleheader. The first pitch of game one tomorrow takes place at 1 p.m.
