DAVIE, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team (8-22, 0-12 SSC) faced a challenging doubleheader against Nova Southeastern (21-15, 8-7 SSC) at NSU Softball Stadium, suffering a narrow 3-2 loss in the first game and a 2-1 defeat in the second.
 
Game One – NSU: 3, PBA: 2
 
In the first game, the 'Fish showcased resilience despite the setback, finishing with four hits, including a double, while impressively limiting NSU to just two hits throughout the contest. The Sailfish jumped ahead in the first inning, sparked by Kaitlyn Campbell's single to shortstop, who advanced to second on an error. A well-executed sacrifice bunt by Dianna Montidoro moved Campbell to third, and Larken Maseda's fielder's choice allowed Campbell to cross home plate, securing an early 1-0 lead for the 'Fish.
 
The third inning saw NSU respond, capitalizing on a walk and a wild pitch to advance a runner to third. A fielder's choice and another wild pitch allowed NSU's runners to score, giving them a 2-1 edge by the end of the inning. NSU added to their lead in the sixth inning with a solo homer, bringing the score to 3-1.
 
In a spirited attempt to rally in the seventh inning, the 'Fish fought back. Marli Szierer led off with a single, and pinch runner Kaycee McClellan replaced her. Kierea Smits then doubled, pushing McClellan to third. With the bases loaded, Addley Dean's patience at the plate resulted in a walk, allowing McClellan to score. Despite closing the gap to 3-2, the Sailfish's efforts to overtake NSU just fell short.
 
Campbell was pivotal in the first game, scoring a run and notching a hit in her two at-bats, fueling the team's offensive push. In the circle, Rylee Little delivered a commendable performance, striking out eight across six innings, allowing only two hits. Maseda contributed an RBI, driving in a key run, while Smits added a double. Little pitched a complete game, allowing three earned runs on two hits, with eight strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.67.
 
Game Two – NSU: 2, PBA: 1
 
In the second game, the Sailfish faced another tough contest, falling to the Sharks 2-1. The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when Nova Southeastern capitalized on an opportunity, plating a run after a single, passed ball, and a PBA error. The Sharks added another run in the fifth on a sac fly, putting them ahead 2-0.
 
The Sailfish showed resilience once more in the seventh inning. Rylee Little kicked things off with a single, and Addley Dean followed with a base hit down the right field line, advancing Miranda Rollins to third. Holly Frankl then delivered a crucial hit through the left side, bringing Rollins home and narrowing the deficit to a single run. Despite the promising rally, the game concluded with a score of 2-1 in favor of the Sharks.
 
Dean stood out with a season-high two hits and six assists in the field, while Frankl's performance was noteworthy as she went one-for-two, driving in the lone run. Larken Maseda recorded a hit in three at-bats and threw out an attempted base stealer. Little contributed on the mound with 1.2 innings of work, allowing just one hit and striking out one. Lauren Allen pitched 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on two hits while facing 17 batters, inducing nine groundouts and three flyouts, maintaining a WHIP of 0.98 and limiting Nova Southeastern to a .143 batting average.