MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team began its final series of the season on Friday night against Florida Tech.

The game experienced a one-hour and 30-minute rain delay due to rain. The Sailfish got on the board first in the fourth inning. Unfortunately for PBA, the Panthers struck back with two runs in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. FT took the first game of the series, 6-1.

PBA totaled four hits and four walks on offense. Cambria Arturo started in the circle. She pitched four solid innings, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks with a strikeout. Chloe Nepveux pitched two innings of relief. She surrendered four runs on five hits and one walk.

After a scoreless first three innings, Larken Maseda started a Sailfish rally in the top of the fourth inning with a leadoff single. She advanced to second on a throwing error by the Panther's catcher. Another FT error on a bunt single by Elisa Grande made it a 1-0 PBA lead.

Two leadoff walks came back to bite Arturo in the bottom of the fourth. The Panthers scored two runs after a single and a sacrifice bunt to make it 2-1. Florida Tech tallied two more runs in the fifth on two hits and a walk. The Panthers added more insurance in the sixth, scoring two runs on three hits and a PBA error.

The Sailfish left two base runners stranded in the fifth and sixth innings. PBA left eight runners total stranded in the game.

PBA will look to win both games on Saturday to take the series. The first game in Melbourne, Fla. takes place at 11 a.m.