Comets sweep aside PCC, L.A. Mission

VAN NUYS, CA. (2/3/2024) – After two sites were previously considered but ruled too wet for competition, Los Angeles Valley College became the host Saturday for a non-conference three-way featuring the softball teams from Palomar, Pasadena City and L.A. Mission colleges.

Originally scheduled for Bradley Park in San Marcos before wet grounds there forced a brief interim move to Pasadena, the Valley eventually provided the turf required for the Comets to take the field between rainstorms. Palomar pitchers Guilianna "GiGi" Clavel and Nevaeh Haywood combined on a two-hit shutout in a 6-0 victory over Pasadena City, and the Comets cruised past L.A. Mission, 10-1, in the nightcap to secure their fourth win in as many games to start the season.

In Palomar's first game of the day against Pasadena City, the Comets broke open a 1-0 game with a five-run fourth inning highlighted by a two-run home run by sophomore first baseman Itzell de los Rios, a run-scoring double to left-center by freshman second baseman Josephine Hueberger and a two-run single to right by Clavel.

Clavel, a sophomore right-hander, started in the pitching circle and delivered three scoreless innings against the Lancers (0-2), allowing one hit with one walk and three strikeouts. Haywood, a freshman right-hander out of Ramona High, relieved Clavel and pitched four scoreless innings to pick up her first win of the season. She also allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out six batters.

Hueberger had three of the Comets' 12 hits in the game. Freshman shortstop Breanna Lutz added two hits, including an RBI double in the top of the first inning to left following a leadoff single by sophomore right fielder Faith Steffany. Sophomore left fielder Carlee Herrmann and Steffany also had two hits apiece for Palomar.

Clavel pitched five strong innings against L.A. Mission (2-2) for her third win of the season, allowing only one run on two hits in the contest shortened to five innings by the mercy-run rule. She walked two, struck out four and provided all the support she needed at the plate with a two-run single in the top of the first inning to give Palomar a lead it never lost.

The winners collected 11 hits in their second victory of the day, with Heuberger and Herrmann each providing a triple and a double, and de los Rios adding a double and a single.

The Comets have a non-conference road game scheduled for Feb. 9 at Mt. San Jacinto, weather permitting. Palomar's next home game is scheduled for Feb. 10 against San Bernardino Valley with a 12 noon start at Bradley Park.