WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.- The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team kicked off their 2024 season today as they hosted Catawba College. The Sailfish (0-1) were only able to get five hits on the night to the Indians (1-0) 14 hits as they fell 16-3.

The Sailfish were coming off a 21-28 season last spring while Catawba was coming off a 27-24 record in 2023. This was the eighth time these two teams have faced off since 2018 and the first time since the 2022 season that they have seen one another. The Indians came to West Palm Beach to get revenge for their last outing against each other when the 'Fish beat them by a score of 7-6 in 11 innings almost two years ago to the day on Feb. 4th, 2022. 

A.J. Prendergast got his first career start with the Sailfish but may have been feeling some nerves as he struggled with his command. He allowed five free base runners and two hits in his 1.1 innings of work before being replaced after five runs. Sophomore Jimmie Buhl was the second pitcher in for PBA. He allowed three inherited runners to score and three runs of his own as he lasted 1.2 innings. 

The 'Fish were able to keep the Indians scoreless in the third inning but quickly found themselves down 8-0 after a bases clearing Catawba doubled to right center field allowing three runners to score. The hit came after head coach, Kent Bottenfield, made the team's third pitching change of the night as he went to a lefty-lefty matchup with Ryan Webster replacing Buhl on the mound in the fourth.

PBA found themselves down 13-0 before finally getting on the board in the bottom of the sixth when Pedro Figueroa hit a fly out to center field which allowed the Florida native Matty Warren to get the Sailfish their first score of the 2024 season. The 'Fish were then able to hold the Indians scoreless in the seventh inning after a ground out and double play. 

In the top of the eighth, the Indians continued to put the offensive pressure on the Sailfish after scoring two runs on a home run to left field by the visitors. The 'Fish did manage to get two more scores on the board after a fielder's choice got the freshman pinch hitter Raymond Hawkins his first run of his career in the bottom of the eighth, and in the bottom of the ninth when Kody Kelly singled to third base allowing Isaiah Malek to score a run which then made the final score 16-3.

PBA pitching struggled collectively on the night as they surrendered 14 hits, five walks, and seven hit batters. Offensively, the Sailfish managed to collect just five singles on the night. The 'Fish are back in action tomorrow when they will host Washburn at home for their second game of the season.