Comets roll past Eagles, await PCAC play

MENIFEE, CA. (2/27/2024) – Sophomore right-hander Guilianna "Gigi" Clavel pitched a three-hit shutout and helped her own cause at the plate with three hits as Palomar College won its final non-conference softball tune-up before beginning conference play.

The Comets blanked Mt. San Jacinto, 8-0, on Tuesday with Clavel and company collecting 15 hits in a contest rescheduled from Feb. 9 due to rain. Palomar scored three runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back, improving to 11-1 going into Wednesday's Pacific Coast Athletic Conference opener at Grossmont.

Only three Mt. San Jacinto baserunners advanced as far as second base against Clavel, who walked none, hit three batters and struck out six while improving to 7-1 on the season.

A two-run double by freshman designated player Isabella De Filippis highlighted the Comets' first-inning rally, and back-to-back doubles by sophomore shortstop Tess Altevers-Harris and sophomore third baseman Itzell De Los Rios sparked a three-run rally in the seventh which put the game out of reach.

Clavel had three singles and scored two runs, De Filippis drove in three runs with a pair of doubles, Altevers-Harris and freshman first baseman Breanna Lutz each doubled and singled, and freshman second baseman Josephine Heuberger and freshman catcher Shelbie Van Slyke each had two singles.

The contest was the fourth straight for Mt. San Jacinto (5-4) against Pacific Coast Athletic Conference teams. The Eagles fell to Southwestern, 6-5, on Friday before sweeping a doubleheader from San Diego City on Saturday, 9-2 and 6-1.

Palomar, ranked No. 3 in the latest 3CFCA state rankings, opens the PCAC schedule at Grossmont on Wednesday at 3 p.m., and the Comets host No. 19 Southwestern on Friday at Bradley Park starting at 1 p.m.