WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team took both games of Saturday's doubleheader against the No. 3-ranked Tampa Spartans.

PBA stole the series after Evoni Rodriguez walked it off with an RBI single to win game two, 2-1. Rodriguez's clutch hit capped off the best day of Sailfish softball in 2024. PBA bounced back from Friday's loss to win the second game of the series, 3-1, thanks to stellar outings in the circle from Lacy Marty and Cambria Arturo.

The win marks the biggest PBA softball upset since beating No. 2-ranked Southern Arkansas in 2019. It's the largest series upset against an SSC opponent since taking two games against No. 11-ranked Saint Leo in 2021. Today's games broke an eight-game losing streak against Tampa and is the first series win over the Spartans since 2021.

The Sailfish look to carry their momentum into next weekend's games against Florida Tech. The series against the Panthers starts on Friday at 6 p.m. at Simpson Field. 

Game One – PBA: 3, No. 3 Tampa: 1

The Sailfish took advantage of some sloppy play by the Spartans to take an early lead in game one. Gracie Mullett reached on an error to set up an RBI triple from Rodriguez. On the triple, Tampa threw the ball away at third, allowing Rodriguez to slide home safely to make it 2-0.

Tampa broke through in the top of the fourth with a pair of two-out base knocks to make it 2-1. The Sailfish answered in the bottom half of the inning, manufacturing a run. Singles from Larken Maseda, Bella O'Connor, and Isabella Hernandez loaded the bases for Elisa Grande. She sent a flyball to center deep enough to score Maseda and restore PBA's two-run lead.

Arturo relieved Marty, who surrendered just one earned run in four innings on five hits and one walk with one strikeout. Arturo was dominant in her appearance, going nine up, and nine down to close out the game and earn her second save of the season. She helped the Sailfish even the series by winning 3-1.

Game Two – PBA: 2, No. 3 Tampa: 1

Arturo kept it rolling as the starter for the second game. She pitched for scoreless innings to begin the contest. O'Connor gave the 'Fish a 1-0 lead, driving the ball over the left field fence for her first home run of 2024. PBA had three singles in the third inning but failed to add to its lead.

The Spartans finally got to Arturo in the fifth. A double and a single put runners on second and third with one out. Tampa scored a run on a single to left field. Karen Vasquez entered the game and limited the damage, forcing a pair of popouts to keep the game tied at one.

An error by Tampa gave PBA a baserunner to start the bottom of the seventh. Madison Schlichte followed with a base hit to center. Rhiannon Sibbett laid down a bunt in hopes of advancing the runners, and she laid down a perfect bunt so the Spartans could not make a play at any base, loading the bases with no outs. Alexia Martinez roped a line drive to left, but it was caught for the first out. Rodriguez came through with a liner of her own, finding a hole in left-center to drive in the game-winning run. PBA's 2-1 win clinched the series over the Spartans.

Rodriguez and O'Connor led the 'Fish with two hits and an RBI each. Vasquez earned her third win of the season, pitching 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, giving up one hit and no walks.