Comets’ quick start subdues Knights

SAN MARCOS (4/3/2024) – Needing just four pitches to score its first run of the game, the Palomar College softball team plated seven first-inning runs Wednesday en route to a 9-0 victory over San Diego City.

The Pacific Coast Athletic Conference win at Bradley Park kept the No. 2-ranked Comets atop the PCAC standings with an 8-0 record while improving Palomar to 27-1 overall. Along with posting their 19^th straight win, the Comets won by shutout for the 16^th time this season.

Leadoff batter Josephine Heuberger ignited the first-inning outburst when the freshman second baseman tripled to left-center field on the second pitch she saw. Freshman first baseman Breanna Lutz followed with a double to center, also on the second pitch, to provide the hosts with a quick 1-0 lead.

Palomar went on to send 10 batters to the plate in the opening frame, which was also fueled by a bases-clearing, three-run double to center by freshman right fielder Kayla Visser. Palomar added two more runs in the second inning on a single by Lutz, a double by sophomore third baseman Itzell De Los Rios, a sacrifice fly to right by freshman catcher Isabella De Filippis and a two-out RBI single by freshman designated player Julianna Rocha.

Half of Palomar's 10 hits went for extra bases, including a pair of doubles by De Los Rios as the winners wrapped up the mercy-rule victory in five innings against the Knights (10-18, 1-7).

Freshman pitcher Nevaeh Haywood won her eighth game in as many decisions by spinning four scoreless innings. Haywood retired the first 10 batters she faced before allowing a walk and a single lost in the sun in the fourth inning. The right-hander fanned the next two batters she faced to finish with six strikeouts.

Freshman left-hander Maddie Bedolla pitched the fifth inning, allowing one walk and one hit with one strikeout to finish off the two-hitter for Palomar's seventh combined shutout of the season.

The Comets are scheduled to host No. 7 Mt. San Antonio on Friday for a non-conference clash at 11 a.m., but anticipated rain could alter the schedule. Palomar has a nonconference doubleheader slated for Saturday at No. 3 Cypress, the defending state champion