WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team concluded its series against Eckerd on Friday.
The game was slated to start at noon but was delayed until 5:15 p.m. The Sailfish held an early lead, but the Tritons battled back to steal the game 4-3 and win the series.
PBA got on the board in the bottom of the first inning.
Evoni Rodriguez crushed a ball to the left field fence. The Eckerd left fielder suffered a noncontact injury going for the ball, and Rodriguez came all the way around to score. The inside-the-park home run gave the Sailfish a 1-0 lead.
The Tritons took advantage of some defensive miscues by the Sailfish. Two misplayed groundballs, a wild pitch, and a base hit tied the game at one.
Lacy Marty was in a precarious situation after the run scored, with runners still on second and third with no outs, but she limited the damage, stranding both runners.
Gracie Mullett put the Sailfish back in front. She smacked her first home run of the season. A two-run home run from Mullett put the 'Fish ahead 3-1. Eckerd answered in the top of the fifth with a two-run homer of its own to re-tie the game at three.
The Sailfish had a chance to retake the lead in the sixth.
Isabella Hernandez led off the frame with a double to center field. A sacrifice bunt moved her to third base with one out. Unfortunately for the Sailfish, a popout on a squeeze play allowed EC to double up the runner at third to get out of a jam.
The Tritons took their first lead of the game in the seventh inning. A leadoff walk and a wild pitch set up an RBI double that made it a 4-3 game. EC nearly added another run, but
Rhiannon Sibbett delivered a perfect throw home from centerfield for the final out of the inning. The Sailfish went down quietly in the seventh, falling 4-3.
Mullett and Rodriguez led the 'Fish with two hits each. Mullett finished with two RBI and a run scored. Marty started the game in the circle. She pitched 4.2 innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts.
Ashlyn Storms finished the game, pitching 2.1 innings, surrendering one earned run on two hits and a walk with a strikeout.
The Sailfish compete again on Thursday against Lynn. PBA plays a doubleheader at Simpson Field starting at 2 p.m.
