Comets open PCAC play by blanking Southwestern

CHULA VISTA, CA. (3/8/2023) – An RBI double by freshman Itzell De Los Rios (Olympian HS) in the first inning and another double by starting pitcher Guilianna "Gigi" Clavel to spark a two-run rally in the fourth provided enough offense as top-ranked Palomar College began its Pacific Coast Athletic Conference softball campaign Wednesday with a 3-0 victory at Southwestern. 

Clavel, a freshman right-hander (Bonita Vista HS), pitched the first three innings and combined on the shutout with sophomore right-hander India Caldwell, who worked the final four innings to pick up her 10^th win of the season against no losses. 

The double by De Los Rios came with two outs in the first inning following singles by sophomores Aaliyah Rivas and Malachy Russell-Millen. Clavel's two-bagger in the fourth scored sophomore Elisa Haas, who reached on a fielder's choice groundout following a walk to sophomore Ellison Hazlett.  

After freshman Carlee Herrmann (Rancho Buena Vista HS) entered the game as a pinch-runner, she advanced to third on a single by sophomore Cadee Herrmann and scored on a squeeze bunt by freshman Faith Steffany (Rancho Buena Vista HS) to pad the Palomar lead to 3-0. 

Clavel gave up one hit and no walks with two strikeouts during her three innings in the pitching circle, and Caldwell allowed just one hit and one walk in her four innings of relief which included four strikeouts. 

The Comets (13-0 overall, 1-0 in conference) were scheduled to be in action again on Friday at 12 noon with a PCAC contest against San Diego Mesa at Bradley Park.