WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team hosted Ave Maria in a doubleheader on Saturday.

The Sailfish dropped a pair of games to the Gyrenes. The 'Fish had opportunities to put runs on the board, but PBA combined for 10 stranded runners on the day. Defensive miscues cost the Sailfish in game one. The visitors scored three unearned runs, but that was enough to win, 3-0. The 'Fish offense produced one run in game two, but AMU's lineup started to click. PBA fell to the visitors 6-1 in the second game.

PBA travels to Saint Leo next weekend for its first conference series on the 2024 campaign. First pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m.

Game One – AMU: 3, PBA: 0

The Sailfish had a chance to strike first in game one. Natalie Helton walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a single from Toree Hoobler. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, a pair of groundouts stranded two runners.

A single and groundout moved a runner into scoring position for Ave Maria. PBA could've gotten out of the inning, but two errors on the same play allowed the runner to come home for the first run of the game. PBA tried to answer in the sixth. Hoober doubled to start the frame and advanced to third on an error by the AMU catcher. She tried to score on a groundball to the shortstop, but she was called out at the plate.

Two more errors from the Sailfish allowed the Gyrenes to score two runs in the top of the seventh and take a 3-0 lead. Isabella Hernandez led off the bottom of the inning with a single, but the 'Fish did not spark a rally, dropping the game 3-0.

Lacy Marty got the start in the circle. She pitched five innings, giving up one run on five hits with one walk and one strikeout. Cambria Arturo tossed the last two innings, surrendering two runs on one hit with two strikeouts and no walks. PBA did not allow an earned run in the game.

Game Two – AMU: 6, PBA: 1

Defense plagued the Sailfish again in the top of the first. A leadoff walk and an error allowed the first run to score and give AMU a 1-0 lead. The Gyrenes added to the lead in the fourth inning, scoring three runs on five hits to go ahead 4-0.

PBA got on the board in the fifth inning. Madison Schlichte walked to set up an RBI double from Hoobler to make it 4-1. AMU added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh. A solo home run made it 5-1, and two hits and a sac fly made it 6-1 in the seventh. PBA's offense recorded a hit in six out of seven innings but failed to string enough together.

Ashlyn Storms started the game in the circle. She pitched four innings, giving up three earned runs on six hits and two walks. Chloe Nepveux tossed 2.1 innings of relief. She surrendered two earned runs on four hits with a strikeout. Karen Vasquez ended the game for the 'Fish. She was scoreless in 0.2 innings of work.