ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team returned to its Sunshine State Conference schedule on Friday, playing a doubleheader against Eckerd College.
The Sailfish had plenty of opportunities to take control of game one, but a four-run first inning by the Tritons was enough run support to hold off PBA, 4-3. The second game was a pitcher's duel for most of the game until a four-run fifth inning created a large deficit against the 'Fish. The Sailfish had a late rally in the seventh, but a double play ended the game with the tying run at the plate. Eckerd took the game, 5-1.
PBA concludes its series against the Tritons on Saturday in a single game scheduled for 10 a.m.
Game One – Eckerd: 4, PBA: 3
After retiring the first two batters in the bottom of the first, the Tritons stayed alive in the inning with two walks followed by a pair of base hits and a Sailfish error to plate four runs. The rally gave Eckerd an early 4-0 lead.
The Sailfish struck back in the third inning.
Daylin Hejtmanek reached on a bunt single, followed by another infield single from
Briana Rodriguez.
Evoni Rodriguez drove in Hejtmanek with a single to right-centerfield.
Dallas Watterson kept the rally going with a double to left-centerfield to score B. Rodriguez and make it a 4-2 game.
PBA plated another run in the sixth inning.
Bella O'Connor came through in the clutch with a two-out double to score
Rhiannon Sibbett and make it 4-3. The Sailfish got the lead-off batter on base in the top of the seventh after
Isabella Hernandez was hit by a pitch, but the tying run was stranded at first to end the game, 4-3.
Cambria Arturo got the nod in the circle. She pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits and four walks with four strikeouts.
Hejtmanek led the Sailfish with three hits and a run scored. Watterson finished with two hits and an RBI. PBA outhit the hosts, 10-6, in the game.
Game Two – Eckerd: 5, PBA: 1
The Tritons scored first again in game two. A leadoff single and a stolen base put a runner in scoring position. A single up the middle gave EC a 1-0 lead in the third inning. PBA had two runners on base in each of the second and fourth innings but came up empty in both.
EC extended its lead in the fifth inning with a pair of two-run home runs to make it 5-0. The Sailfish nearly pulled off some magic in the top of the seventh.
Larken Maseda singled to start the frame. After a fly out, Hernandez singled to put two runners on base. Gracie Mullet notched a base hit that included an errant throw from the outfield that scored Maseda and put the 'Fish on the board. A walk from Hejtmanek loaded the bases with one out in the inning. Just when PBA had the momentum, it was taken away after a line drive down the right field line was snagged by the first baseman who easily stepped on first for the double play. The play was so quick, there was nothing Hejtmanek could do at first.
Lacy Marty tossed a complete game for PBA. She threw six innings, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Maseda led the 'Fish with two hits in the contest.
