SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team concluded its series against No. 20 Saint Leo with a doubleheader on Saturday.
The Sailfish had to play from behind for the entirety of game one. The 'Fish offense got back a pair of runs in the fourth inning, but the comeback came up short, dropping the game 6-2. PBA held its first lead of the weekend in game two. The Sailfish led 1-0 until a seven-run fourth inning by SLU, put the hosts in front. SLU ended the series with a 9-1 win.
PBA faces another tough matchup next week back at home against Tampa. The first pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m.
Game One – SLU: 6, PBA: 2
The Lions built an early lead, scoring three runs on a hit batter, a double, and an error to take a 3-0 lead. The 'Fish had a chance to answer in the top of the third, getting
Madison Schlichte in scoring position, but she was stranded. SLU scored two more runs in the third on three hits and an error to take a 5-0 lead.
The Sailfish got on the board in the fourth inning.
Evoni Rodriguez singled with one out to start the rally.
Larken Maseda drove her in with a double to left field to make it 5-1.
Alexia Martinez drove in Maseda with a single up the middle to make it a 5-2 game. SLU tacked on another run in the bottom of the frame. An RBI double made it 6-2 SLU.
The Lions held on to win the game 6-2, clinching the series. The 'Fish totaled five hits in the game as a team.
Ashlyn Storms started the game in the circle for PBA. She faced two batters, hitting one and giving up a double before exiting the game.
Lauren Allen tossed 3.2 innings of relief, giving up one earned run on seven hits and no walks with two strikeouts.
Cambria Arturo finished the game, pitching 2.1 innings without giving up a hit.
Game Two – SLU: 9, PBA: 1
The Sailfish looked to avoid the sweep in game three. Two walks and a single by Maseda loaded the bases in the bottom of the first with one out.
Bella O'Connor was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to put PBA ahead 1-0.
Lacy Marty was the starting pitcher for the Sailfish. She was nearly flawless through her first three innings. The Lions got to the junior pitcher their second time through the order. Two walks and six hits in the fourth inning knocked Marty out of the game and gave the Lions a 7-1 lead through four frames.
PBA looked to answer in the sixth with Rodriguez drawing a leadoff walk, but the inning stalled out. SLU scored two more runs on a walk, two hits, and an error in the sixth inning to enact the run rule, ending the game 9-1.
Marty left the game with seven earned runs on seven hits and two walks.
Karen Vasquez pitched two innings of relief. She did not give up an earned run, giving up two hits and one walk. PBA finished the game with three hits.
