LAKELAND, Fla. — The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team secured two hard-fought victories against Florida Southern College at Chris Bellotto Field, winning 6–5 in the first game and 4–3 in the second.
This marks back-to-back series wins for PBA who have won seven of its last 10 games.
PBA hosts Barry this weekend for a three-game series starting on Friday. First pitch at Simpson Field is set for 6 p.m.
Game One - PBA: 6, FSC: 5
In the first game, the Sailfish capitalized on a strong start, scoring four runs in the first inning and holding off FSC's late rally.
Kaitlyn Campbell singled and advanced, scoring on a single by
Marli Szierer.
Addley Dean scored on a throwing error, and
Bianca Green drove in two more runs with a single up the middle, making the score 4–0. The Mocs responded with two runs on a hit by pitch, a triple, and a sac fly, closing the inning at 4–2.
The second inning saw PBA extend its lead.
Dianna Montidoro and Campbell both singled and stole bases, leading to Montidoro scoring on Dean's sacrifice fly. A double by Szierer brought in Campbell, giving PBA a 6–2 lead. Florida Southern added a run in the third inning after another triple and an RBI groundout, making it 6–3. Defensive miscues led to runs for the Mocs in the fifth and sixth innings, narrowing the lead to one run.
Rylee Little kept her composure in the circle, setting the Mocs down in order in the seventh and sealing Palm Beach Atlantic's victory at 6–5.
Campbell tallied two runs and secured two hits, marking her second consecutive game with two or more hits. Szierer recorded three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs. Dean added a run and two hits while also driving in a run. Little pitched seven innings, collecting four strikeouts and delivering a complete game performance, allowing four earned runs on seven hits.
Game Two - PBA: 4, FSC: 3
In the second game, the Sailfish secured the win with a decisive run in the seventh inning, overcoming a late rally by the Mocs. In the third inning,
Holly Frankl and
Miranda Rollins each singled, setting the stage for
Kaitlyn Campbell, who reached on a fielder's choice bunt that allowed Frankl to score. Dean then hit a sacrifice fly to bring Rollins home, putting the 'Fish ahead 2–1.
Palm Beach Atlantic extended its lead in the fifth inning. After Dean reached on an error,
Savanna Lee entered as a pinch runner and stole second base.
Rylee Little singled down the right field line, enabling Lee to score, putting PBA ahead 3–1. The Mocs narrowed the gap in the sixth inning with a run after two singles, a stolen base, and a fielder's choice, making the score 3–2 in favor of the 'Fish.
The seventh inning saw the Sailfish add a key insurance run.
Dianna Montidoro singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Campbell. Szierer delivered a single through the left side, driving in Montidoro to make it a 4–2 game. Florida Southern responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning after a double, groundout, and wild pitch, but the 'Fish held on to win with a final score of 4–3.
Szierer recorded two hits and drove in one run in the second game.
Lauren Allen pitched a complete game, striking out four batters and allowing two earned runs over seven innings.
Miranda Rollins scored once and added a hit to her stats, while Frankl contributed with one hit, one run, and a walk.
