MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team ended its season with a doubleheader against Florida Tech on Saturday.
The first pitch of game one was moved up to 11:15 a.m. due to the weather. The Sailfish dropped both games to the Panthers. FT took the first game of the day, 3-1 followed by a 4-1 win by the hosts to end the day.
The Sailfish finish the season with a 15-27 overall record and an 8-22 record in the SSC.
Game One – FT: 3, PBA: 1
Florida Tech got on the board in the third inning of game one. Back-to-Back singles to start the frame, followed by a sacrifice bunt led to one run via a sacrifice fly. The Panthers added two more runs in the fifth inning. The first run came on an RBI single that left runners on first and third base. The hosts ran a first and third play, stealing from first. PBA faked a throw and got the Panther's runner in a rundown between third and home, but an errant throw allowed another run to score, making it a 3-0 game.
The Sailfish broke through in the top of the sixth inning. Dallas Watterson came through for PBA, sending a single to left field to score Evoni Rodriguez. Unfortunately for the 'Fish that was the end of the PBA rally. FT held on to win, 3-1.
Daylin Hejtmanek led PBA with two hits. Watterson and Isabella Hernandez recorded the other base knocks for the 'Fish. Karen Vasquez tossed a complete game in the circle. She threw six innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts.
Game Two – FT: 4, PBA: 1
The Panthers scored early in game two. In the bottom of the first, the hosts had a first and third situation. A delayed steal from first occupied the Sailfish defense enough to allow the runner from third to score and make it a 1-0 game. PBA struck back in the third inning. Singles from Gracie Mullett, Briana Rodriguez, and E. Rodriguez tied the game at one.
Florida Tech took the lead right back in the bottom of the third frame. The Panthers scored three runs on four hits to take a 4-1 lead.
The Sailfish mustered two runs in the top of the sixth with one out, but a failed steal attempt and two flyouts killed the rally. That was PBA's lone scoring opportunity in the ladder half of the game. Florida Tech completed the sweep with a 4-1 win.
E. Rodriguez led PBA with two hits and an RBI. Watterson went 1-for-1 at the plate with two walks. Lacy Marty started the game in the circle. She pitched five innings, giving up four runs on eight hits with one strikeout. Ashlyn Storms pitched one scoreless inning in relief with one strikeout.
