WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team played a pair of tightly contested games against Florida Tech on Saturday.
 
PBA fell in both games by a scored of 8-7. The Sailfish had their chances to win in both games, but Florida Tech came up clutch in the final innings of each game. Larken Maseda powered the 'Fish in game one with a pair of three-run home runs, but it wasn't enough. PBA held a four-run lead in game two, but a five-run fourth inning helped the visitor's overcome the deficit.
 
PBA softball is back in action on Friday with a doubleheader at Edward Waters. The first game in Jacksonville, Fla. is set for 2 p.m.
 
Game One – Tech: 8, PBA: 7
 
The 'Fish showcased their power with two home runs and tallied 10 hits, extending their streak of games with double-digit hits to two. Despite their efforts, Florida used a four-run fourth inning to swing the game in their favor.
 
The turning point came with a crucial sixth-inning solo home run from Miranda Schwartz, pushing Florida Tech into an 8–7 lead. Schwartz's shot to left field shifted the momentum, and the Sailfish couldn't quite catch up in the final innings, despite applying pressure on the Panthers' defense.
 
The Sailfish rallied impressively in the third inning. Maseda's three-run bomb to left field flipped a two-run deficit into a 4–3 advantage. Rylee Little's RBI double and Madison Schlichte's clutch single in the fifth set the stage for Maseda's second three-run homer, leveling the game at 7–7. Maseda was on fire, driving in a season-high six runs. However, the 'Fish couldn't capitalize further to close the gap.
 
In the seventh, with Maseda leading off with a single, the Sailfish had a chance to rally, but the next batters couldn't bring her home. It was a nail-biting finish to a fiercely contested matchup.
 
Maseda led the charge with four hits, including two homers, two runs scored, and six RBIs. Little made her mark with two hits, including a double, and an RBI, while also drawing a walk. Marli Szierer added a run, reaching base with a hit.
 
Lauren Allen started in the circle for the 'Fish, throwing 3.1 innings, allowing six earned runs on six hits, striking out one, and walking three. Ashlyn Storms took over in the fourth, pitching 2.2 innings, giving up two earned runs on two hits, including a home run, while striking out one and walking one.
 
Game Two – Tech: 8, PBA: 7
 
The 'Fish put up eight hits and powered through with four runs in the second inning, but Florida Tech turned the tide with a five-run fourth to help clinch the win. This game marked the third straight outing where PBA scored at least seven runs, keeping their offensive momentum alive.
 
Both teams came out swinging in the first inning, each putting up two runs. Dianna Montidoro doubled to right center, setting the stage for Rylee Little's RBI double to bring Montidoro home. Marli Szierer chipped in with an RBI single, scoring Little and tying things up at 2-2.
 
In the second inning, the Sailfish surged ahead with four runs. Lauren O'Brien singled, advanced on a fielding error, and crossed home plate on Montidoro's RBI walk. Larken Maseda knocked a sacrifice fly for another run, and Little's two-RBI single topped off the inning, giving her a season-high three RBIs. By the end of the inning, the 'Fish held a 6-2 lead.
 
Florida Tech struck back in the fourth, putting up five runs to edge ahead 7-6. PBA knotted it up in the fifth when pinch hitter Kierea Smits tripled to bring O'Brien home, leveling the score at 7-7.
 
The seventh inning was the game-changer. A Panthers' sacrifice fly pushed them ahead, and despite the Sailfish's efforts in the bottom half, they couldn't rally, resulting in an 8-7 finish favoring Florida Tech.
 
Little was a standout with three RBIs and two hits, including a double. Montidoro scored twice and added an RBI with her two hits, one being a double. Smits made her mark with a pinch-hit triple, driving in a run and moving another, proving her value off the bench. O'Brien also contributed with two runs and two hits, playing a crucial role in the Sailfish's offense.
 
On the mound, Little pitched 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits and eight runs, six of which were earned. Little walked four and struck out one, allowing two doubles. Lauren Allen stepped in for relief during the fourth, pitching .2 of an inning and keeping the Panthers scoreless on one hit, facing three batters.