Posted: Apr 01, 2026
Comets sink Pirates behind Huey’s fusillade
Orange Coast
(12-14)
4
Palomar
(26-1)
12
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Orange Coast | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
|
Palomar | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
SAN MARCOS, CA (4/1/2026) – Alexis Huey drove in eight runs with three extra-base hits to lead Palomar College to a 12-4 softball win Wednesday over Orange Coast College.
Huey gave the Comets the lead for good with a bases-loaded triple to center field to highlight a five-run second inning. The sophomore first baseman clouted a three-run home run to center in the third inning before ending the game with a walk-off, bases-loaded double to left-center in the sixth inning which gave the hosts the eight-run margin necessary for the mercy-run rule to take effect.
The nonconference victory in a matchup of defending conference champions boosted Palomar's record to 26-1 as the No. 2-ranked team in the state claimed its 14th straight win. Orange Coast, co-champions of the Orange Empire Conference last season, fell to 12-14 with its second loss in as many games against the Comets this year.
Palomar starting pitcher Kiara Flaviani notched her 23rd win of the season with five innings of work in the circle. The sophomore right-hander allowed four runs on eight hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Freshman right-hander Gianna Burgin pitched a perfect top of the sixth inning, striking out the side in the process.
The Pirates took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of a two-out walk and two base hits. The lead was short-lived as sophomore designated player Lauren Doepping tied the score in the bottom of the first with a two-out solo home run to left field, her 10th of the season for the Comets.
Palomar's five runs in the second all scored after two outs as Huey's three-run triple was followed by a run-scoring triple down the left-field line by freshman right fielder Kailey Dain and an RBI single to left by sophomore center fielder Gisele Gonzalez.
Huey's team-leading 15th home run of the season gave Palomar a 9-3 lead after three innings. Gonzalez added a run in the fourth when she drew a leadoff walk, advanced two bases on a pair of wild pitches and scored on a bloop single to right by freshman second baseman Kristina Deal.
A leadoff single to right by freshman third baseman Ava Alvarez ignited the decisive rally in the sixth, which included a single by sophomore left fielder Taylor Armstrong and a walk by freshman pinch-hitter Delaney Smith to set the stage for Huey's game-ending double.
Armstrong and Deal had two hits apiece to help pace a 12-hit Palomar attack.
The Comets take on another opponent from the Orange Empire Conference when they visit No. 12 Cypress for a doubleheader on April 4 with the first game slated for a 1 p.m. start. Palomar returns to Pacific Coast Athletic Conference action April 7 with a home contest against Southwestern at 3 p.m. The Comets lead the PCAC with an 11-0 record with four games remaining on the conference ledger.