Posted: Mar 19, 2026
Comets top IVC for 50th straight PCAC triumph
Palomar
6
Imperial Valley
1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Palomar | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
|
Imperial Valley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
IMPERIAL, CA (3/19/2026) – Persevering through triple-digit heat, the Palomar College softball team achieved a milestone victory Thursday at Imperial Valley College.
The Comets prevailed for a 6-1 triumph over the Desert Warriors in a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference contest that was a win which not only lifted Palomar's record to 9-0 in conference play, but it also marked Palomar's 50th consecutive conference game without a loss dating back four years to the 2022 season.
One day after jumping back up one spot to No. 2 in the California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association state poll, the Comets claimed their 21st win of the season against one loss, while Imperial Valley dropped to 2-6 in the PCAC and 11-12-1 overall.
Palomar is the only 3C2A softball program in the state which has recorded three consecutive unbeaten conference seasons going into the 2026 campaign, and the Comets kept their current PCAC record unblemished after sophomore first baseman Alexis Huey led off the game with her team-leading 13th home run of the season, which ranks Huey second in the state.
The visitors kept the first-inning rally going as two Palomar batters were hit by pitches before sophomore designated player Lauren Doepping brought both home with a two-run single to left field. Doepping came around to score on an infield single by sophomore left fielder Taylor Armstrong, giving the Comets a 4-0 lead before Imperial Valley came to bat.
A one-out infield single and a stolen base by freshman center fielder Kailey Dain in the top of the second inning led to an RBI single to center by freshman right fielder Emma Schneider, and Palomar added another run in the third when a sacrifice fly to left by sophomore shortstop Nalia Nuanez scored freshman pinch-runner Tyler Krystek after freshman second baseman Kristina Deal doubled to left field leading off the inning.
Starting pitcher Kiara Flaviani worked the first three innings in the circle and allowed only one hit with one hit batter, three walks and six strikeouts. Flaviani was relieved in the top of the fourth by fellow sophomore right-hander Hailey White, who pitched four innings for her second win of the season.
White spaced five hits with no walks and three strikeouts. The Desert Warriors avoided being shut out by scoring their only run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a leadoff double and a one-out single. White retired the next two batters to seal the Palomar victory.
Dain and Armstrong had two hits apiece for the Comets, who were limited to single digits in hits (nine) for just the third time this season.
Palomar returns home March 21 to host defending South Coast Conference champion Long Beach City for a nonconference matchup at 1 p.m. The Comets return to conference play March 24 with a 3 p.m. home contest against San Diego City.