WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team (0-2) started its season Saturday at Simpson Field with a doubleheader against Keiser (4-0).
Today marked PBA's first games under new head coach Kasey Cox. The 'Fish held a lead late in game one but came up short after Keiser rallied late to win 4-1. The Seahawks struck first in game two. PBA tried to comeback in the seventh, but it was too little too late as KU won, 5-2.
The Sailfish head to Tennessee for the Chattanooga Invitational next week. PBA plays a pair of games on Friday against Illinois Springfield and Shorter, starting at 3 p.m.
Game One – Keiser: 4, PBA: 1
The Sailfish were edged out by Keiser in a 4-1 defeat on Saturday at Simpson Field. The 'Fish tallied five hits and swiped three bases, but Keiser capitalized on late scoring opportunities to clinch the victory.
The early innings saw both teams struggling to convert chances into runs. In the first inning,
Kaitlyn Campbell kicked things off with a single and a stolen base, but the 'Fish left three stranded, unable to bring her home.
The fourth inning saw the 'Fish break the deadlock.
Brianna Cabrera doubled to shallow center, setting the stage for
Anna Wetzsteon's sacrifice fly to right, bringing Cabrera home and giving PBA a 1-0 lead after four.
Keiser responded in the sixth. Genesis Igle reached second on a throwing error, setting up Ava Stahl's single to right that tied the game at 1-1.
The eighth inning proved decisive as Keiser loaded the bases. A critical throwing error allowed three unearned runs to cross, giving them a 4-1 lead. Despite the 'Fish's efforts, they couldn't mount a comeback in the final at-bats, falling 4-1.
Rylee Little pitched a complete game for the 'Fish, covering 8 innings while allowing four hits and four unearned runs. She struck out eight and walked five.
Kaitlyn Campbell added a hit and a stolen base, reaching base twice in four plate appearances.
Brianna Cabrera contributed a double and scored a run in her three plate appearances.
Anna Wetzsteon drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and collected a hit in her three at-bats.
Game Two – Keiser: 5, PBA – 2
The Sailfish put up a fight, but ultimately fell to Keiser 5-2 in game two.
PBA garnered seven hits in the game, but Keiser pulled away with a decisive three-run third inning.
Keiser struck first in the second inning when Jordan Brant made it home on Tessa DiPiet's sacrifice fly. The Seahawks widened their lead in the third as Genesis Igle and Trinity Rohr scored on Ava Stahl's single to left-center. Stahl crossed home plate herself on a bases-loaded walk, leaving the 'Fish trailing 4-0 after three.
PBA broke through in the fourth.
Rylee Little reached on a KU error, advanced to second on the throw, and scored thanks to
Lauren O'Brien's single through the left side, narrowing the gap to 4-1.
In the seventh, Keiser added another run after three hits, making it 5-1. The 'Fish weren't done yet.
Holly Frankl notched a pinch-hit single in her Sailfish debut and scored on
Miranda Rollins' shot up the middle. Despite their efforts, the Sailfish couldn't close the gap, falling 5-2.
Lauren Allen took the mound for 2.1 innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs, with two walks and a hit batter.
Ashlyn Storms provided 4.1 innings of relief, surrendering four hits and one earned run, while issuing four walks and a strikeout.
Kaitlyn Campbell showcased her speed with two stolen bases. Rollins contributed two hits and an RBI in her first collegiate game, while O'Brien added two hits and an RBI, bolstering the Sailfish offense.
