Comets cage Tigers, return to win column

RIVERSIDE, CA. (4/11/2023) – The bottom third of the starting lineup collectively accounted for eight hits as Palomar College bounced back from its first softball loss of the season Tuesday with a 6-0 triumph over Riverside City College. 

The nonconference win on the Tigers' turf elevated the top-ranked Comets' record to 26-1 on the season going into a key doubleheader matchup against No. 3 Cypress on Saturday at Bradley Park. 

Palomar was nursing a 1-0 lead through five innings at RCC (12-19) courtesy of a fourth-inning RBI single by sophomore centerfielder Cadee Herrmann before the Comets broke open the game with a four-run sixth inning. A walk to sophomore catcher Ellison Hazlett and a pinch-hit double by sophomore Alexis Ruelas preceded a run-scoring single by sophomore first baseman Allyson Amato for a 2-0 Palomar lead. 

A Riverside City error and a two-run home run by sophomore third baseman Aaliyah Rivas expanded the Comets' lead to 5-0, and Palomar added an insurance run in the seventh on back-to-back two-out doubles by Hazlett and Herrmann. 

Hazlett and Herrmann each had three hits with both providing a double and two singles. Sophomore left fielder Jonessa Hebreo added a pair of singles as the Comets collected 14 hits in their first game following Saturday's 3-2 loss to No. 5 Mt. San Antonio in eight innings which ended Palomar's 25-game win streak to start the season. 

Sophomore pitcher Guilianna "Gigi" Clavel started and worked five innings against the Tigers for the win, her ninth in as many decisions. She allowed three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. Sophomore India Caldwell pitched two shutout innings of relief, allowing one hit.