TAMPA, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team traveled to the Gulf Coast to face the No. 2-ranked Tampa Spartans on Friday.

PBA looked to repeat last year's performance when it took the series from a ranked Spartans team. The hosts sought revenge and showed why they have been tabbed as the No. 2 team in the country in the NFCA top 25. The Spartans took an early lead and did not look back, besting the Sailfish 9-0 in five innings. 

The Sailfish started the game with two runners on base after a Spartan error and a single by Evoni Rodriguez. Unfortunately, Rodriguez's single was PBA's lone hit in the game, and both runners were left stranded. Tampa struck for four runs in the bottom of the first on three hits, one walk, and one hit batter.

The Spartans tallied a pair of runs in the third inning. Three hits, including a double, with a wild pitch gave Tampa a 6-0 lead through three innings. Tampa put an exclamation mark on the win with a three-run home run, enacting a game-ending run rule in the fifth inning. The homer to leftfield completed the 9-0 win.

Lacy Marty started the game in the circle. She pitched 2.1 innings, giving up six earned runs on six hits with one walk. Ashlyn Storms finished the game, pitching 1.2 innings with two earned runs on three hits with one strikeout.

PBA concludes its series against the Spartans with a Saturday doubleheader. Game One is set for noon.