Palomar Captures First State Title Since 2015
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 14 | 0 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Bakersfield, Calif. – The Palomar College Comets swept their way through the 2026 3C2A Softball State Championships and were crowned victors for the first time since the 2015 season with a 13-0 win over Saddleback in the title game on Sunday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Palomar scored four runs in the first inning in the blink of an eye without even recording an out. Alexis Huey led off the frame with a pop up that got caught in the bright Bakersfield sun, falling in shallow right for a leadoff double. Following a Kailey Dain walk, Ava Alvarez crushed her third homer of the tournament.
The very next batter, Lauren Doepping, parked a towering drive over the flags in center field, giving the Comets a commanding 4-0 advantage.
Palomar put the game out of reach in the second inning. The Comets erupted for a seven spot in the frame. Nalia Nuanez led off the inning with a single, then Huey blasted her tournament-best fifth home run, a line drive to right field. It was her state-best 27th homer of the season. She closed the tourney 11-for-17 with 12 RBI.
The Comets picked up four more hits in the inning, including a grand slam off the bat of second baseman Kristina Deal. Deal mashed her first homer of the tournament high over the left field wall.
STAND OUT PERFORMERS/NOTES
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After coming into the tournament as last year's second-place finisher, the Comets win their first championship since 2015
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Kiara Flaviani was dominant, ending the tournament throwing 13-consecutive scoreless innings
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Palomar outscored opponents 54-5 in four games played
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Alexis Huey, Palomar College
MOST VALUABLE PITCHER – Kiara Flaviani, Palomar College
GOLD GLOVE – Taylor Armstrong, Palomar College
BEST HITTER – Ka'ui Garcia, Saddleback College
Catcher – Emily Azemar, Cosumnes River College
Catcher – Angel Amesa, Santa Rosa College
First Base – Daniella Hunter, San Joaquin Delta College
Infield – Ava Alvarez, Palomar College
Infield – Hannah Ames, College of San Mateo
Infield – Millie Maher, Saddleback College
Infield – Itzel Soto, San Diego Mesa College
Outfield – Kiana (Kiki) Mazza, San Joaquin Delta College
Outfield – Imani Black, Cosumnes River College
Outfield – Gisele Gonzalez, Palomar College
Outfield – Selena Gonzales, College of San Mateo
Wild Card – Kailey Dain, Palomar College
Wild Card – Nia Mapa, San Mateo
Pitcher – Lola Sierra, College of San Mateo
Pitcher – Colette Howren, Saddleback College
Pitcher – Kylee Cammarato, Saddleback College
Courtesy of Joe Perrino, 3CFCA SID
