WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team began its SSC series against Nova Southeastern on Friday night.

The Sailfish faced a tough task in the form of the No. 19-ranked Sharks. Last time it was at Simpson Field, PBA picked up a ranked win over Kutztown and hoped to do the same on Friday. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, some defensive miscues and walks allowed NSU to build an early lead. The Sharks scored in every inning, winning 9-1 in five innings.

NSU got its first runner on a walk with one out in the first A throwing error by the Sailfish allowed the visitors to put runners on second and third. One run scored on a groundout to make it 1-0. PBA's Lauren O'Brien singled to begin the first, but she was left stranded.

Two walks and a hit batter set up another PBA error which scored one run. The Sharks tried to score a second run on the play, but a perfect throw by O'Brien nailed the runner at home. The Sharks scored one more run on a single to left to increase their lead to 3-0. Chloe Nepveux ledoff the PBA half of the second with a single to left. After a pair of flyouts, Kaitlyn Campbell singled to put runners on first and second. This time, PBA benefitted from an NSU error, allowing Daylin Hejtmanek to score and make it a 3-1 game. 

NSU scored two more in the third on three hits, a throwing error, and a wild pitch to make it 5-1. The Sailfish tried to answer after Larken Maseda doubled in the bottom of the inning, but she was left stranded. The Sharks tacked on two more in the fourth after a pair of walks, a double, an RBI single, and a sac fly, making it 7-1.

The 'Fish mustered a pair of runners in the fourth with a single by Campbell, and a walk by Hejtmanek, but the rally fell short. Two walks, two hits, and a sac fly lifted the NSU lead to 9-1. Evoni Rodriguez drew a walk for the Sailfish in the fifth, but PBA came up empty, ending the game 9-1 after five innings.

Campbell led the Sailfish offense with two of PBA's five hits. The Sharks finished with eight hits in the game. Rylee Little started in the circle. She pitched 3.1 innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) on six hits with four walks and one hit batter. Ashlyn Storms tossed 1.2 innings of relief. She surrendered two runs on two hits with four walks.

PBA faces off against the Sharks in a doubleheader on Saturday. The first pitch at Simpson Field takes place at noon.