IVC falls to Palomar

IMPERIAL — The Imperial Valley College softball team held its own against Palomar College for four innings before the state-ranked Comets found their bats and ultimately defeated the Arabs 9-3 here on Wednesday afternoon.

Both IVC and Palomar went into the game undefeated in Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play, with matching records of 6-0.

The Arabs jumped out to an early lead in the game, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. They held Palomar to four through the first four innings of the game.

Helping IVC to the strong start was sophomore pitcher Jalyn McClain, who went 5 1/3 innings, before Sinclaire Mays stepped in to finish the game.

At the plate, Priscilla Silva led off with a single in the first inning and moved to second after Andrea Quiroz hit a line drive to third base that was mishandled, allowing her to reach first base.

Gaby Ramirez then laid down a bunt that was also mishandled, allowing IVC to load the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning.

Skyler Tyson and Hazmin Guardado eventually walked to give IVC two early runs and the lead.

The Comets then got on the board in the second inning scoring one run off the bat of Megan Wachholtz.

Palomar’s Alyssa Reyes then settled down in the circle, recording three straight outs in the bottom of the second inning to send the game into the third, where the Comets put up three runs to jump to a 4-2 lead.

The Comets held that lead through to the fourth innings, until they added three more runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and one in the seventh.

The Arabs picked up their third run in the bottom of the fifth inning after a Mays hit to the right side scored Tyson, who had opened the inning with a double.

With the results, IVC moves to 6-1 in conference action and 19-5 overall, while No. 9-ranked Palomar picks up its 20th win of the season.

The teams will meet again April 20 in San Diego for IVC’s secondto-last game of the regular season.

The Arabs were without starting centerfielder and leadoff hitter Melannie Ibarra against Palomar, as she hurt her knee in last week’s win over San Diego Mesa.

Imperial’s Valley College’s Jalyn McClain delivers a pitch for IVC on Wendesday afternoon. KARINA LOPEZ PHOTO

PHOTO ABOVE LEFT: Imperial Valley College’s Skyler Tyson fouls off a pitch during the Arabs’ home game against Palomar College on Wednesday afternoon. KARINA LOPEZ PHOTO ABOVE RIGHT: Imperial Valley College’s Hazmin Guardado makes a throw to first base....