Palomar Wears Down Fullerton; Stays Alive in Hunt for ‘19 Title
Bakersfield, CA - After suffering a tough extra-inning walk-off loss to Mt. San Antonio College, the Palomar College softball team had to turn around and play for their post-season life on Saturday afternoon against Fullerton College. The Comets wore down the upstart Hornets, and ended up staying alive in the hunt for the 2019 title with a 2-1 victory.
Palomar would take an early lead when sophomore stud Sarah Fisher launched a solo shot to center field in the top of the first. That was the last pitch Fisher would see, despite being on base three more times in the game, as she was intentionally walked two out of her next three at bats.
Down a run, the Hornets would rally in the bottom of the third. A lead-off walk, and two-out single would put runners on the corners for Fullerton. That brought sophomore catcher Veronica Garza to the plate. Garza would hit a single to right, that drove in teammate sophomore Anabel Mendez, but the rally ended when teammate and sophomore Sabrina Anguiano was thrown out at third on the same play.
Each team would have close calls over the next few innings, but Palomar was the only team to cash in. Freshman Rylee Penrod would drive in the game winning run with a double to right field that scored pinch runner and freshman Katie Bananal to make it 2-1 in the top of the fourth.
For Palomar, freshman Catalina Aguilar (19-2) put together five solid innings worth of work giving up just four hits and a walk in her time in the circle. Sophomore Allie Hughen would pick up her third save of the season when she shut the door in the final two innings.
At the plate, the Comets were led by freshman Samantha Renteria and freshman Kendall Kates who both went 2-for-4. Fisher finished 1-for-1 with three walks and the early inning RBI. For Fullerton, freshman Kloe Lilavois was 3-for-3.
With the win, Palomar (39-9) advances to Sunday where they will face the winner of the Sacramento City College vs San Joaquin Delta College contest. That is tentatively scheduled for 3:00 PM on Sunday. Fullerton (38-9) sees their fantastic 2019 come to a close.
