WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team dropped two games of a doubleheader with the Nova Southeastern Sharks on Saturday afternoon. Elijah Budiac was a brightspot for the Sailfish with a complete game in game one. The Sailfish return to the field on Tuesday. They host Barry at 6 p.m. for a midweek non-conference matchup.
GAME ONE
The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team took a tough loss in game one, falling 3-0 to Nova Southeastern. Despite a commendable pitching effort from Elijah Budiac, that kept Nova to just six hits, PBA couldn't find their rhythm at the plate, managing eight hits but leaving nine runners stranded.
Nova Southeastern turned the tide in the fifth inning. A miscue in the field by Jake McNamara allowed a runner on, paving the way for Dakota Jones to triple and score. Jones then capitalized on a wild pitch, securing a three-run advantage.
The 'Fish had their chances but couldn't convert. In the second inning, Aaron Vetter reached on an error, giving PBA runners on first and second with no outs, but they couldn't cash in. Later, in the fifth, singles from Michael Schettino and Trey Miranda hinted at a rally, but a groundout snuffed out the opportunity. Ian Pennington's eighth-inning double was another bright spot, but he was left stranded.
On the mound, Elijah Budiac pitched his first complete game for PBA, going a season-high 9 innings and giving up just one earned run. Budiac struck out two and issuing three walks. Budiac threw 73 of his 114 pitches for strikes, his highest pitch count this season, and induced 18 groundouts, surpassing his season average. Budiac faced 39 Shark batters in the game.
GAME TWO
Nova Southeastern pulled ahead with a pivotal two-run double in the seventh inning. Dakota Jones and Ty Torti scored on Jack Cue's hit down the left-field line, widening the lead and setting up a tough hill for the Sailfish to climb.
The 'Fish had their chances, especially in the eighth inning. Trey Miranda walked, swiped second, and scored on Ian Pennington's clutch two-RBI double that also brought Finley Holmes across the plate, closing the gap. In the ninth, Miranda kept hopes alive with a single that drove in Aaron Vetter, edging the Sailfish within two runs. However, the 'Fish left runners stranded on the corners as the game concluded.
Earlier, the Sailfish tied the game in the third inning thanks to Holmes' single to center, bringing home Santi Scheele and Miranda. But missed opportunities, like a crucial ground-out into a fielder's choice in the ninth, stalled additional scoring.
On the mound, Derek Langfelder started for PBA, pitching 4 innings while giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, with 2 walks and 1 strikeout. Jared Murray provided solid relief with 2 2/3 innings, allowing 2 hits and 1 earned run, striking out 1 and walking 1. Jack Mischke chipped in with 2 innings, surrendering 4 hits and 2 earned runs but struck out 3. Gavin Ingram made a brief outing, facing 2 batters, giving up 1 hit and 1 earned run in 1/3 of an inning.
