WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team took a break from its Sunshine State Conference slate on Saturday. The Sailfish faced off against Caldwell in a nonconference doubleheader at Simpson Field.

Caldwell, hailing from New Jersey, came down to Florida to play its season opener against the Sailfish. The Sailfish took game one, 5-3, thanks to a strong performance in the circle from Lacy Marty and some clutch hitting from Evoni Rodriguez and Dallas Watterson. E. Rodriguez came through again for the 'Fish in game two. The sophomore hit a two-RBI single through the right side to walk it off for PBA, 4-3.

The Sailfish continue this stretch of nonconference games with a single game against Kutztown on Wednesday. The game at Simpson Field takes place at 6 p.m.

Game One - PBA: 5, CU: 3

PBA got on the board early in the first game. Daylin Hejtmanek singled and stole second to start the bottom of the first. Briana Rodriguez singled and stole second to give the 'Fish runners on second and third with no outs. E. Rodriguez came through with a single up the middle to drive in Hejtmanek. B. Rodriguez scored on an error on the throw home to make it 2-0. E. Rodriguez advanced to second on the throw and moved to third on a groundout to first. Elisa Grande drove her in with a groundout to give PBA a 3-0 lead.

Marty kept the Cougars at bay through the first three innings of action. CU finally broke through in the top of the fourth. One hit and a pair of errors helped Caldwell score a pair of runs to make it a 3-2 game.

A walk and a pair of fielder's choices kept a PBA runner on first with two outs in the fifth inning. Watterson came through, smacking an RBI double that allowed E. Rodriguez to score from first base. Grande followed with a hard-hit groundball that the shortstop threw away that allowed Watterson to score and make it a 5-2 game.

Caldwell looked to mount a comeback in the seventh. The visitors started the seventh with a pair of singles. Marty forced a strikeout for the first out, then got the next batter to send a short groundball back to her in the circle. Marty decided to try to get the lead runner at third, but it was too late, loading the bases for the Cougars and bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. A groundout scored one run but gave PBA its second out of the inning. The tying run was left stranded on second base after Marty forced another groundout to third to seal the game, 5-3.

B. Rodriguez led PBA with two hits, one stolen base, and one run. Hejtmanek tallied one hit, one stolen base, one run, and two walks. E. Rodriguez recorded two runs, one hit, and one RBI. 

Marty allowed two earned runs in seven innings pitched. She surrendered six hits with four strikeouts in the contest. PBA outhit Caldwell 8-6 in the game.

Game Two - PBA: 4, CU: 3

Caldwell took a late 3-2 lead against the Sailfish in the top of the seventh thanks to two hits and a PBA error. The Sailfish had some work to do to finish off the sweep. Gracie Mullett walked to start the bottom of the frame. Hejtmanek laid down a bunt and beat it out for a single. B. Rodriguez put down another bunt that was misplayed by third base to load the bases with one out. E. Rodriguez took care of business with a single through the right side that scored Mullett and Hejtmanek to win the game for PBA, 4-3.

It was the second comeback of the game for PBA who trailed 1-0 before scoring two runs on two hits and two errors to take a 2-1 lead. The 2-1 lead didn't last long thanks to the Cougar rally in the seventh.

Karen Vasquez earned the win in the game. She threw all seven innings, allowing no earned runs on six hits and one walk with two strikeouts. E. Rodriguez notched two hits, two RBIs, and one run. Grande finished with two hits of her own. Both teams finished with six hits and four errors each in the game.