Fisher’s No-No Powers Palomar Past Delta in Five

Palomar's Alicia Garcia pitched the 15th no-hitter in CCCAA State Softball Championship history on Thursday afternoon in the Comet's 8-0 win over San Joaquin Delta College. Photo By: Richard Quinton
Palomar's Alicia Garcia pitched the 15th no-hitter in CCCAA State Softball Championship history on Thursday afternoon in the Comet's 8-0 win over San Joaquin Delta College. Photo By: Richard Quinton
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May 17, 2018

Walnut, CA - California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association Pitcher of the Year Alicia Garcia of Palomar College proved why she was bestowed that honor on Thursday afternoon when she threw an no-hitter in the opening round of the CCCAA State Softball Championships. Garcia pitched a five-inning no-no, the 15th no-hitter in CCCAA State Softball Championship history, as the Comets defeated San Joaquin Delta College 8-0. 

Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings of play. Palomar (39-3) had multiple chances to put a run across the plate, but stranded five runners and was 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. San Joaquin Delta (28-17) meanwhile was having trouble figuring out Garcia. Garcia retired all nine batters she faced through that initial stretch, fanning six of them, including a pair looking. 

Delta would get their first base runner on in the top of the fourth, when freshman Tawny Deerink was hit by a pitch. Deerink would swipe second a few pitches later, but was stranded after Garcia got an inning ending flyout to right field. Palomar meanwhile would bust the game wide open in the bottom half. 

Freshman Jilian Zamora got things going, when her squeeze bunt plated freshman Allie Hughen. Freshman McKenna Crawford would score the next run for the Comets on an RBI groundout by freshman Keyona Villanueva. Moments later, freshman Sarah Fisher would come up with a huge single to center field that drove in a pair, giving the Comets a 4-0 lead. 

The Mustangs would get one more runner on in the top of the fifth via a walk, but couldn't find a way to move past second base after another stolen base. In the bottom half of the inning, Palomar would finish things off, thanks in large part to four Delta errors that gave the Comets an 8-0 mercy rule victory in five innings. 

In the win, Garcia (26-0) would allow just two base runners, the hit batter and the walk in the fifth, while striking out eight players from San Joaquin Delta. At the plate, Palomar's Fisher was 2-for-2, while Hughen was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.   

With the win Palomar continues on through the winners bracket and will take on the winner of the nightcap of Day #1, SoCal No. 3 Cypress College and NorCal No. 2 Sierra College. That game will take place at Mt. SAC tomorrow at 1:30 PM. San Joaquin Delta College meanwhile will take on the loser of that contest in an elimination game at Citrus College at 11:00 AM.