WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team dropped both games of a Saturday afternoon doubleheader with the Florida Southern Moccasins. The Sailfish kept things close in game and racked together 12 hits in game two but were unable to come away with a victory in either game.  

The Sailfish take things on the road for the forseeable future with their next nine games being on the road. PBA heads to Nova Southeastern for a midweek game on Tuesday with the Sharks before a series at Barry next weekend.  

GAME ONE  

Fla. Southern capitalized on a series of miscues and productive at-bats in the fifth inning to secure the deciding momentum against PBA. Eric Harrison's solo home run initiated the scoring, followed by a walk and a single that set the stage for Brock Budacki's advancement on a throwing error. Will Burke's RBI single and a subsequent stolen base, compounded by another error, allowed two more runs to cross the plate, making it a four-run frame.  

PBA struggled to find timely hitting, despite multiple opportunities. In the first inning, Patrick Rakes singled to right, but Finley Holmes's fielder's choice erased the chance. Later, Trey Miranda doubled in the eighth, advancing to third on a fielder's choice, yet the 'Fish couldn't convert as the inning concluded with two runners stranded. Missed opportunities and defensive lapses ultimately hindered the Sailfish's ability to mount a comeback. 

PBA's pitching staff faced challenges against Fla. Southern, with starter Nolan Larson allowing two runs over three innings, issuing three walks and striking out none. Gavin Ingram struggled in relief, conceding four runs, three earned, in 1 2/3 innings, including a home run. Jake McNamara provided solid relief, surrendering no runs and only one hit over 1 1/3 innings while striking out one without issuing a walk. Santi Scheele pitched a clean ninth inning, allowing no hits or runs, maintaining control with just seven pitches. 

Jake McNamara delivered 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit while striking out one. Trey Miranda contributed offensively with two hits, including a double, during his appearance. Patrick Rakes added to the team's effort with a hit and a walk as the designated hitter. Brandon Castellon also recorded a hit in his outing, providing a reliable presence at the plate. 

GAME TWO 

Florida Southern seized control of the game in the seventh inning, capitalizing on a passed ball and a series of timely hits. Brock Budacki's advance to third on a passed ball set up a sacrifice fly by Corey Filley to score the first run. Will Burke's subsequent stolen base led to an RBI double by Ethan Burkhardt, further extending the opposition's lead. 

PBA's offense showed promise in the seventh inning when Jake McNamara's RBI single brought home Aidan Pierre, who had entered as a pinch runner. This sequence put runners on the corners with just one out. However, the momentum was halted by a pitching change that closed the door on any further scoring. Earlier in the game, the 'Fish had a strong opportunity in the fourth inning with the bases loaded, but a pop out ended the threat. 

In the final frames, PBA managed to put runners on base but couldn't capitalize, as Florida Southern's defense held firm, including a crucial double play in the eighth inning that ended another potential rally. 

Elijah Budiac started for the 'Fish, pitching 6 2/3 innings and allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out one and walking one. He threw 90 pitches, with 53 strikes, and was credited with the loss, moving his record to 3-7. Nolan Smoot relieved Budiac, delivering 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief, surrendering one unearned run and issuing one walk. Smoot's efficient outing included 26 pitches, 16 of which were strikes. 

Andrew Fernandez recorded three hits in the game, making a significant contribution with his performance at the plate. McNamara added to the team's efforts with two hits and an RBI, while also stealing a base. Ian Pennington maintained consistency with two hits, bolstering the team's offensive lineup. On the mound, Smoot provided solid relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings without allowing a hit and surrendering just one unearned run.