DAVIE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team began its series against Nova Southeastern on Saturday.

PBA faced off against an NSU team currently receiving votes in the NFCA top 25 and has been ranked throughout the season. The 'Fish were shut out by the Sharks in the first game, but PBA led for the entirety of game two. The Sailfish sealed the 4-3 win on an exciting 2-3 double play. NSU popped up a bunt to the catcher, Elisa Grande, who threw it to Bella O'Connor at first to double off the runner at first base. 

The Sailfish conclude their series with the Sharks on Sunday. The rubber match to decide the series takes place at noon.

Game One – NSU: 4, PBA: 0

The Sharks plated three runs in the first inning with some small ball and aggressive baserunning. Two hits, one walk, and an error allowed NSU to take a 3-0 lead, all unearned. The hosts added another run in the third off a single, stolen base, an RBI single to make it 4-0.

The Sailfish were held to three hits in the game. Karen Vasquez pitched a complete game in the circle. In six innings pitched, she allowed four runs (one earned), on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

Game Two – PBA: 4 – NSU: 3

The Sailfish bounced back in the second game, due to Cambria Arturo's performance in the circle. The Sharks garnered base runners in the first and second frames, but Arturo navigated each inning unscathed.

PBA finally broke through against NSU in the fourth inning. O'Connor led off the frame with a double to left field. Isabella Hernandez traded places with O'Connor, doubling to center field to give PBA a 1-0 lead. Rhiannon Sibbett singled to put runners at first and third. Madison Schlichte singled through the left side to score another run for the 'Fish. Sibbett scored on a groundout to make it 3-0. Evoni Rodriguez came through for the Sailfish with two outs. Her RBI single to left field made it 4-0.

The Sharks got one back in the fourth after a hit by pitch, a double, and a single. NSU played another run in the fifth after an error and three singles to make it a 4-2 game. NSU doubled in the sixth with one out, but Arturo escaped the inning without allowing a run to score.

The hosts led off the seventh with a double and ground to put a runner on third with one out. A single through the left side scored one run, and another base knock put runners at the corners with one away. Fortunately for the Sailfish, an NSU bunt attempt was popped up and caught, resulting in a game-ending double play.

PBA totaled 10 hits as a team. O'Connor led the Sailfish offense, going 3-for-3 with a double and run scored. Rodriguez and Sibbett tallied two hits each.

Arturo tossed all seven innings for the Sailfish. She allowed three runs (two earned) on 11 hits and a walk with four strikeouts.