SAN MARCOS — The top-seeded Palomar College Comets hosted the 18th-seeded Ventura College Pirates in a best-of-three series to start the postseason. Palomar went on to beat Ventura 6-2 in Game 1 on May 1, followed by a 11-1 blowout victory in game two on May 2.
Comets’ starting pitcher #6 Kiara Flaviani reads the pitch call from her catcher and prepares to throw a pitch against the Ventura Pirates on May 2 at Palomar College. Flaviani earned both wins in the two-game sweep, advancing Palomar to the super regionals round. (Anthony Miguel)
Unlike actual comets, Palomar never trailed thanks to strong pitching in both matchups.
The Comets went with star pitcher Kiara Flaviani (#6) for both games. Flaviani, who entered the playoffs with a 34-1 record, 1.91 ERA and 141 strikeouts, continued to have success on the mound.
She pitched nine innings between the two games, allowing a total of eight hits, three runs while striking out seven.
“I just keep attacking each batter, locate my pitches, let the defense do their job and hope that we hit the ball, and we usually do,” Flaviani said.
And hit the ball they did.
Palomar combined for 17 runs across the two-game series, though the way they went about it varied from game to game.
Game 1, Palomar College 6 – Ventura College 2
In Game 1, it was all about speed on the basepaths.
The Comets ran with ding-dong-ditcher levels of urgency, stealing six bases and advancing on multiple wild pitches.
They stole two bases in the second inning, setting the tone for the game.
Ventura matched Palomar’s two runs in the top of the third, making it a tie ball game entering the bottom of the third.
That is when the defining sequence of the game took place. Kristina Deal (#8) got walked to get on base, proceeded to steal second base then scored after a single from Dominique Garcia (#3), narrowly beating the throw home.
“I saw [Coach] Lacey sending me home, and I saw Nalia [#4], she was behind the plate guiding me in. She told me where to slide, I was trying to avoid the tag and I slid in, then I saw them call me safe,” Deal said.
Palomar snagged a 3-2 lead with this run and never looked back.
They would go on to add some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth via a double from Ava Alvarez (#25) that drove in two runs.
The Comets tacked on one more later that inning then closed things out in the seventh to secure a 6-2 victory.
Comet player #1 Gisele Gonzalez charges to secure third base against Ventura on May 2 at Palomar College. Gonzalez had two hits against the Pirates. (Anthony Miguel)
Game 2, Palomar College 11 – Ventura College 1
You can tell the team took this opportunity seriously. Their white uniforms were already stained with grass and dirt before the game even started, showing how much effort they were put into their pre-game warm up.
If Game 1 was all about speed, then Game 2 was all about power.
The Comets had seven extra-base hits in Game 2, including a home run by Alexis Huey (#15) in the top of the second.
“I didn’t really get the chance yesterday to put the ball in play, so I was just really focused on looking for a good pitch and just driving it,” Huey said.
That accounted for two runs on what would go on to be a five-run second inning for the Comets.
Ava Alvarez capped off the inning with her second double of the series, showcasing the lineup depth that made Palomar the top seed.
“It feels good knowing that from top to bottom our lineup can hit and we can be successful, no matter who’s up to bat. So I’m just glad that I could pick it up for my team,” Alvarez said.
After Ventura scored its one and only run in the bottom of the second, the offensive onslaught continued for Palomar.
Emma Schneider (#16) hit a ball right between the left and center fielders, driving in two runs on her way to a triple. This gave Palomar a comfy 7-1 lead, and it didn’t stop there.
In the top of the fifth, Palomar tacked on four more runs, highlighted by Taylor Armstrong’s (#10) two-run double.
The Comets went on to win 11-1 to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
“We talk a lot all season about, like, if this were a playoff game, you know, we’d have to do X and Y and Z, so by the time we get here, hopefully it isn’t necessarily a different message that they are hearing,” Head Coach Lacey Craft said. “We want everything to feel like they’ve prepared and practiced it and it’s another game on the journey, you know, hopefully to get to that state championship game again.”
The Comets play the Antelope Valley Marauders on May 8-9 in another best-of-three series. The winner will advance to the championship round.