Comets sizzle in season opener, 12-1

SAN MARCOS (1/30/2024) -- After waiting through eight months and one week of offseason, plus an additional three days of a rain delay, the Palomar College softball team finally returned to competition Tuesday with a bang.

The Comets sent 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning before an out was recorded, eventually scoring 10 runs on their way to a 12-1 nonconference victory over Saddleback in the season opener at Bradley Park.

"I liked how we came out in the first inning raring to go," said Palomar coach Lacey Craft, who is beginning her 13^th season at the helm of the Comets. "The girls were excited to get going after the rain delays we've had, and they showed a lot of punch right away."

The Comets collected 13 hits and produced at least one hit from all nine spots of the batting order as Craft was able to work seven substitutes into the lineup while Palomar wrapped up the run-rule victory in five innings. The first contest of the season was originally scheduled to be played Jan. 27 before wet grounds pushed back the opening date.

Palomar took advantage of three Saddleback errors in the first inning and combined seven hits into the rally which began with a pair of successful bunts by sophomore right fielder Faith Steffany and freshman second baseman Josephine Heuberger. Steffany reached on an error and stole second base, and Heuberger reached on a bunt single and also stole second base, with both runners coming around to score on additional Bobcat errors.

Freshman shortstop Breanna Lutz followed with a double to left-center field and scored ahead of a triple to right field by freshman third baseman Tess Altevers-Harris. A single to right by winning pitcher Guilianna "Gigi" Clavel plated Altevers-Harris, who later drove in the final run of the first-inning outburst with a sacrifice fly to center field. Also highlighting the opening-frame rally was a two-run single to left by sophomore left fielder Carlee Herrmann while Lutz provided two hits in the inning, including an RBI single in her second at-bat.

 The Comets added a run in the third inning on three pinch-hit singles by sophomore Mariah Diaz, sophomore Sarah Vega and freshman Isabella De Filippis, and a leadoff pinch-hit single in the fourth by freshman Adrielle Flores led to the Comets' final run of the day, which scored on a sacrifice fly to left by freshman catcher Kayla Visser.

Clavel started in the circle and pitched three innings, allowing one run on two hits and a hit batter in the second inning. She walked one and struck out one. Freshman Nevaeh Haywood spun two innings of scoreless relief, striking out five of the eight batters she faced with one walk.

Palomar takes to the road Wednesday to face Riverside City for the second game of the season. The Comets are scheduled to host Pasadena City and L.A. Mission in a three-way at Bradley Park on Saturday, weather permitting.