No. 2 Comets sweep aside AVC

LANCASTER, CA. (2/17/2023) – Palomar College took the field Friday for the first time as the No. 2-ranked softball steam in the state, and the unbeaten Comets continued their winning ways by sweeping a nonconference doubleheader at Antelope Valley College. 

Sophomore pitcher India Caldwell spun a four-hit shutout in the opener and was supported by nine Palomar hits as the Comets rolled to a 9-0 victory in a game shortened to five innings by the mercy-run rule. 

Palomar improved to 8-0 on the season with an 8-2 triumph in the nightcap as leadoff batter Faith Steffany went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Aaliyah Rivas slugged her second home run of the season. 

The Comets scored two runs in the top of the first inning of Game 1 before adding a five-run third and a two-run fourth to dispatch the Marauders. Sophomore center fielder Cadee Herrmann was 3-for-3 at the plate, including a two-run double during Palomar's third-inning outburst. 

Sophomore designated player Allyson Amato added a two-run single in the third and finished with two hits, while freshman left fielder Carlee Herrmann drove in two runs with a third-inning double and a fourth-inning bases-loaded walk. 

Caldwell (5-0) struck out seven and did not walk any batters. AVC had only three runners advance as far as second base. 

Palomar dropped the Marauders to 5-6 on the season by winning Game 2 to complete the twinbill sweep. Starting pitcher Guilianna Clavel helped her own cause at the plate with a two-run double to highlight a three-run second inning for the visitors.  

After Antelope Valley scored a run in the bottom of the second, the Comets put the game away with a five-run fourth inning sparked by a two-run homer by Rivas, a sophomore third baseman. Steffany, a freshman right fielder out of Rancho Buena Vista High, had three singles in the contest. 

Clavel, a freshman from Bonita Vista High, pitched 4 2/3 innings for the win, her third of the season. She struck out three with no walks while allowing six hits. Caldwell relieved with 2 1/3 innings of shutout pitching, allowing two hits with three strikeouts and no walks. 

Earlier in the week, Palomar jumped four spots from No. 6 to No. 2 in the most recent 3CFCA state rankings. The Comets will have two games at home next week when they host Fullerton on Tuesday, Feb. 21, and Mt. San Jacinto on Thursday, Feb. 23. Both games are scheduled to start at 2 p.m. at Bradley Park. 

Palomar had a nonconference home game against Chaffey postponed on Feb. 15 due to inclement weather. That game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 7, at Bradley Park with a 2:30 p.m. start.