Comets drop state tourney opener

SARATOGA, CA. (5/16/2024) – The Palomar College softball team is facing elimination Friday morning following an opening-round defeat at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship.

An 8-0 loss to College of San Mateo on Thursday means the Comets (39-5) must beat Sierra at 11 a.m. Friday to remain alive in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament. Sierra (20-25), the No. 4 seed from the North Region, also faces elimination after a 2-0 loss Thursday to South No. 1 seed Fullerton. The winner of the 11 a.m. game Friday at San Jose City College plays again at 5 p.m. at West Valley College against an opponent to be determined.

Entering the state tournament as the No. 3 seed from the South Region, Palomar hit into three double plays while being held scoreless by Bulldogs pitcher Kennedie Magorian (17-3). It was the first time the Comets have been shut out since 2023 state finals.

San Mateo (38-5), the North No. 2 seed, scored three unearned runs in the first three innings off Palomar starting pitcher Guilianna "GiGi" Clavel (27-5) before padding its lead with a three-run fourth and a two-run sixth.

Freshman second baseman Josephine Heuberger had a double and two singles to account for three of Palomar's eight hits. Heuberger doubled to left field to lead off the top of the first inning but was stranded by an inning-ending double play. Heuberger also led off the fifth inning with a single, but another double play kept the Comets at bay.

San Mateo's third double play squelched Palomar's best scoring threat of the game after the Comets loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth inning on a walk to sophomore third baseman Itzell De Los Rios and singles by sophomore left fielder Mariah Diaz and sophomore right fielder Faith Steffany.

Palomar also left the bases loaded in the fourth despite a leadoff double by De Los Rios and a one-out single by Steffany.