WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team began its Sunshine State Conference schedule on Friday night with a single game against Saint Leo.

The Sailfish faced a Lions team that was receiving votes in the NFCA top 25 after a 7-1 start to their season. Saint Leo pitching held the Sailfish at bay for most of the game, as PBA recorded one hit in the game. The Lions' small ball style frustrated the Sailfish defense. PBA dropped the series opener, 8-0.

Saint Leo pushed three runs across the plate in the second innings thanks to one hit and two PBA errors. A leadoff walk and shoddy bunt defense cost the Sailfish one run, followed by a two-RBI single later in the inning to make it 3-0 SLU. All three runs in the inning were unearned.

The Lions scored three more runs in the fourth on three hits and one error, making it a 6-0 game. PBA nearly got on the board in the fourth inning. Briana Rodriguez walked to lead off the inning. Evoni Rodriguez sent a chopper over the third baseman's head, but unfortunately for the Sailfish, the umpire ruled the ball was barely foul. The 'Fish were held scoreless to end the inning.

Saint Leo added an insurance run in the seventh to make it 8-0. PBA made better contact in the seventh, including its first hit of the contest, coming on a single up the middle by Larken Maseda. PBA failed to muster more of a rally, falling 8-0.

Cambria Arturo got the start in the circle. She pitched four innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Ashlyn Storms tossed three innings in relief, giving up two runs on 10 hits, one walk, and a strikeout.

PBA looks for revenge tomorrow against the Lions in an afternoon doubleheader. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.