ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team played a pair of games at Flagler on Saturday.
The Sailfish, who's games against Edward Waters were cancelled on Friday, plated five runs in each game. PBA held a 5-3 lead mid-way through game one, but a late push from Flagler allowed the hosts to win the game 6-5. The Sailfish bounced back in game two. A strong pitching performance from
Lauren Allen allowed PBA to earn a 5-2 win.
The 'Fish are back at home on Sunday, playing a doubleheader against Saginaw Valley State at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Game One – FC: 6, PBA: 5
The 'Fish got off to a promising start in the first inning.
Dianna Montidoro drew a walk and scored on a sacrifice fly by
Rylee Little, putting PBA ahead early. Flagler, however, responded swiftly with three runs, closing the inning with a 3-1 lead.
The Sailfish fought back in the third inning. Singles by
Holly Frankl and Montidoro set the stage for
Larken Maseda, whose two-RBI single brought PBA level at 3-3.
In the fifth, the 'Fish nudged ahead once more. Maseda walked, and Little reached on an error, paving the way for
Marli Szierer's sacrifice fly that cashed a run. Aliyah Navarro drove in a run via groundout to give PBA a 5-3 lead. Yet, Flagler answered with three of their own to reclaim the lead at 6-5 with three hits in the bottom of the fifth.
The game stayed locked through the sixth and seventh innings, with the Saints maintaining their narrow edge to secure the win.
Maseda was a standout, driving in two runs and adding a hit in her three at-bats. Montidoro crossed the plate twice, reaching base through a hit and a walk. Frankl delivered two hits and scored, demonstrating her consistency at the plate. Little contributed with an RBI and pitched four innings, allowing three runs and striking out two.
Allen took over pitching duties for two innings, giving up three hits and three earned runs while striking out one. She faced nine batters without issuing any walks. After a tough fifth inning, Allen settled down, delivering a scoreless sixth inning with no hits and a strikeout, finishing her outing strong.
Game Two – PBA: 5, FC: 2
Flagler jumped ahead early in the first inning with an RBI double to right center to make it 1-0. The Saints expanded their lead in the second inning. Burns drew a walk with the bases loaded, allowing a run to cross the plate. Flagler was up 2-0 by the end of the second.
The Sailfish answered back with authority in the third inning.
Kaycee McClellan reached on an error, followed by a single from
Rhiannon Sibbett. Montidoro singled to load the bases for Maseda, who hit a single to bring in McClellan.
Lauren O'Brien smashed a double, driving in two more. Frankl reached on an error, adding another run, and scored again on a subsequent error. By the end of the third, PBA surged to a 5-2 lead.
The score held steady through the rest of the game, with the Sailfish defense holding firm to secure the victory, 5-2.
Maseda led the offense with three hits and one RBI, providing a crucial offensive boost. O'Brien delivered a key double, driving in two runs and showing her knack for clutch hits. Sibbett tallied three hits and scored a run. In the circle, Allen pitched a complete game, giving up four hits and two earned runs over seven innings to clinch the win.
