MELBOURNE, Fla. — The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team fell to Florida Tech 18-6 on Friday evening. Even in defeat, PBA showed fight, posting four runs in the ninth inning and tallying 11 hits overall, marking their second game in a row with at least six runs.

The 'Fish faced a tough challenge against the Panthers. Florida Tech jumped ahead in the second inning with a five-run burst, including a two-RBI double and an RBI single, setting the score at 5-0. By the third inning's end, the Panthers extended their lead to 6-0.

PBA got on the board in the fourth when Jake McNamara scored on an error, narrowing the gap to 6-1. Yet, Florida Tech responded in the fifth with a two-run homer, stretching their lead to 10-1.

The Panthers kept the pressure on in the sixth and seventh innings, adding two runs and then six more, with a three-run homer in the seventh pushing the score to 18-1.

The Sailfish showed grit late in the game. In the eighth, McNamara came home on a single from Raymond Hawkins, making it 18-2. The ninth inning saw the 'Fish rally for four more runs, highlighted by Hawkins' two-RBI double, but it wasn't enough to close the gap.

Ian Pennington chipped in with two RBIs, helping to boost the 'Fish's offensive efforts. Hawkins shone with a double and three RBIs. McNamara crossed the plate twice, adding crucial energy to the lineup, while Carter Parent contributed with a run and an RBI.

On the mound, the Sailfish pitching crew faced some hurdles. Nolan Smoot took the start, going three innings and allowing six earned runs on nine hits with one strikeout. Aidan McKee followed with 1.1 innings, giving up three earned runs on two hits, including a home run. Gavin Ingram pitched 1.2 innings, surrendering three earned runs on four hits. Zachary Orloff faced challenges in his .2 innings, allowing six earned runs on five hits, while Christian Alonso closed with 1.1 innings, issuing 4 walks but no hits.

PBA plays a doubleheader against the Panthers tomorrow. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m.