Lutz slam provides power needed for mercy

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA. (3/28/2024) – Freshman first baseman Breanna Lutz slugged a third-inning grand slam which provided the cushion needed for the mercy-run rule as Palomar College rolled to an 11-1 nonconference softball win Thursday over Chaffey in five innings.

The second-ranked team in the 3CFCA state poll scored seven runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back while extending the state's longest current win streak to 18 games and improving to 26-1 on the season. The contest at Chaffey was rescheduled from Feb. 21 due to inclement weather.

The Panthers (11-15) surrendered 11 hits to the Comets in addition to committing five errors to aid the Palomar cause.

Sophomore center fielder Maddie Scott drove in three runs with a bases-loaded first-inning double and later added a fourth-inning single. Freshman second baseman Josephine Heuberger also provided two hits to help support winning pitcher Nevaeh Haywood, who won her seventh game without a loss.

Haywood, a freshman right-hander, pitched four scoreless innings and allowed one hit and one walk with five strikeouts. Freshman left-hander Maddie Bedolla relieved in the fifth inning and allowed an unearned run on three hits with one strikeout.

The game was shortened to five innings after the Comets added four runs in the third inning by loading the bases on three walks before Lutz followed with her third home run of the season for an 11-0 lead for the visitors.  

Palomar is slated to return to Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play April 3 with a home game scheduled for Bradley Park against San Diego City at 3 p.m., but possible wet field conditions could lead to a tentative change of venues. The Comets host No. 7 Mt. San Antonio on April 5 for a non-conference clash at 11 a.m.