SAN MARCOS — Palomar softball had its first doubleheader of the season against the Los Angeles Mission Eagles on Feb. 7, where they won both games in run-rule fashion, and improved to 4-0.
The Comets left off right where they were last season, combining for 23 hits and outscoring the Eagles 20-4 over the weekend’s doubleheader.
Game 1, Palomar 9 — LA Mission 1
The Comets opened the series with a leadoff home run by Alexis Huey (#15), who reached a full count, and on the next pitch hit a line drive home run to left field.
“With two strikes and a 3-2 count, I was kind of just looking away and reacting in, and I got a perfect high inside, which I love, so I had to go for it,” Huey said.
Huey ended up getting three hits on all three of her plate appearances and was a double shy of the cycle.
Palomar Comet, Alexis Huey (center) high fives her coach as she rounds third base after hitting a leadoff home run to left field against the Los Angeles Mission Eagles on Feb. 7 at Palomar College.
Photo by Hector Flores, courtesy of Palomar Athletics
Palomar increased its lead in the second inning, scoring four more runs on a 2-RBI single by freshman second baseman Natalie Arendt (#12).
“Their pitchers were really trying to keep it low and away from our power hitters, and it was a good challenge for us to try and overcome that, and we ended up executing,” Coach Lacey Craft said.
Palomar then scored another four runs in the fourth inning to go up 9-1 and run-ruled the Eagles. Huey hit an RBI triple, followed by Taylor Armstrong’s (#10) RBI single, and an RBI double off the bat of freshman, Emma Schneider (#16), who then scored on an error by the Eagles.
“We got a lot of hits up the middle, and especially timely ones with two outs, so it was good to see us string together some bigger runs, which is what we’re working on,” Craft said.
Game 2, Palomar 11 — LA Mission 3
The Comets opened up the game allowing two runs in the top of the first inning on an RBI single and a sacrifice fly.
But Palomar fought back in the bottom of the first to tie the game 2-2 after Huey stole home and Armstrong stole second, who scored on a sacrifice bunt on the next at-bat.
“It was really great to see that even though they scored those two runs, we answered right back, and that’s something we’re trying to work on and continue to do the rest of the season,” Craft said.
The Comets then took the lead in the bottom of the third inning when freshman second baseman Kristina Deal (#8) hit a 2-RBI double, making it 4-2.
LA Mission gained ground on an RBI single in the top of the fourth inning, but Palomar stretched its lead, hitting two RBI singles, and a two-run triple by center fielder Gisele Gonzalez (#1) to make it 8-3.
“I was definitely looking outside, and they were pitching outside, and I got on the line, and the second pitch was right where I wanted it and swung,” Gonzalez said.
The Comets then scored on another single in the fourth inning, and two more runs in the sixth inning to take the win 11-3.
Palomar Comets’ pitcher Kiara Flaviani deals a pitch in a doubleheader matchup against the Los Angeles Mission Eagles on Feb. 7 at Palomar College.
Photo by Hector Flores, courtesy of Palomar Athletics
Kiara Flaviani (#6) pitched both games, allowing a total of four runs and seven hits, while striking out nine batters over 11 innings pitched.
“I was just trying to work ahead and hit my spots, and it’s nice to have the cushion behind you, and I trusted my team and knew they were going to get hits and score,” Flaviani said.
The Comets’ next home appearance will be another doubleheader against Antelope Valley, starting at noon on Friday, Feb. 13.