WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team hosted Kutztown in a nonconference doubleheader on Monday.

Karen Vasquez pitched well for the 'Fish to start the day. She did not give up an earned run in seven innings, but the Sailfish stranded nine runners on base, resulting in a 2-0 loss. PBA bounced back in game two. The Sailfish trailed 4-1, but a five-run fifth inning put the' Fish ahead. Another insurance run in the sixth led to a 7-4 over the Golden Bears. 

PBA returns to SSC play on Saturday, beginning a three-game series with Nova Southeastern. The first pitch in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. takes place at 2 p.m.

Game One – KU: 2, PBA: 0

The Sailfish had a chance to score in the bottom of the first inning. Evoni Rodriguez doubled and stole third base. A walk from Larken Maseda put runners on first and third with one out. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, the runners were stranded. PBA had runners on first and third with one out again in the bottom of the third but came up empty again.

Vasquez started strong in the circle. She only allowed one hit through the first five innings of play. Kutztown broke through in the sixth inning. An error started the inning, and two runs eventually scored after a pair of singles, giving the Golden Bears a 2-0 lead. PBA tallied base hits in each of the sixth and the seventh innings but missed a clutch hit to push a run across. KU held on to win, 2-0.

Vasquez only allowed three hits in the game with no walks and two strikeouts. Rodriguez and Rhiannon Sibbett led PBA's offense with two hits each. PBA totaled five hits as a team in the game.

Game Two – PBA: 7, KU: 4

Things looked bleak for the Sailfish after Kutztown jumped out to a 4-1 lead after scoring one run in the first and three runs in the second. Three of the Golden Bears' runs were unearned, putting the Sailfish in an early deficit.

Lacy Marty started the game in the circle, but she exited in the middle of the third inning. Cambria Arturo entered in relief and did not allow a hit in five innings pitched.

The Sailfish strung some hits together in the fifth inning. Isabella Hernandez started the rally with a single through the left side. Gracie Mullett singled to put runners at first and second. Rhiannon Sibbett legged out an infield single to load the bases with no outs. Madison Schlichte singled up the middle, driving in a pair of runs. Elisa Grande walked to put runs at first and second, setting up an RBI single by Rodriguez to tie the game. Alexia Martinez singled to right field to drive in two more runs and make it a 6-4 PBA lead.

An error by the Golden Bears allowed the Sailfish to add another insurance run in the sixth to take a 7-4 lead. That was plenty of run support for Arturo. She slammed the door shut, earning the win for PBA.

Marty gave up four runs (one earned) in two innings off four hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Arturo tossed five innings, giving up one walk and one hit batter with a strikeout. Grande and Rodriguez tallied two hits each.