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 Scott Cathcart

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Softball

2009 Schedule | 2009 Roster | 2009 Coaching Staff | 2009 Stats

2008 Season | 2008 Stats | 2007 Stats |


2009 News

SOFTBALL: Alumni report / honors

Helton joins Davis on NAIA All-American squad

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, 6-19-09) -- William Penn University junior first baseman Tyranna Helton (left) has joined Lubbock Christian University senior shortstop Ginalee Davis on the NAIA All-American softball team.

Helton was selected to the second team for the second consecutive year. Davis previously was named to the first team.

Helton, the Midwest College Conference Player of the Year, hit .412  with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs for the Lady Statesmen. She struck out only seven times in 182 at bats as William Penn, located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, went 40-18.

Davis batted .452 with 24 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs and 79 RBIs as the Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps went 54-7 and advanced to the NAIA World Series.

There, the Lady Chaps were eliminated when they dropped decisions to Oklahoma City and eventual national champion St. Gregory's of Oklahoma in the final round of eight in the 32-team World Series.

Last season, Davis helped lead Lubbock Christian, of Lubbock, Texas,  to the NAIA World Series championship.

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Ex-PC assistant, Georgia 1 win from W. Series final

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (5-31-09) -- Former Palomar volunteer assistant coach Carl Grubb is an assistant coach at Georgia, which came within one win over the weekend of qualifying for the Women's College World Series finals.

But Washington downed the Bulldogs 6-3 and will play Florida in a best-of-3 series for the national championship beginning Monday.

Grubb is volunteer hitting coach for Georgia, the same post he held at Palomar from 2004-06 under head


Elliott signs with Minot State; List reaches six

MINOT, N.D. (5-23-09) -- Melissa Elliott, a sophomore outfielder from Escondido's Christian L.I.F.E. Academy, is the sixth player from the 2009 Palomar softball team to sign with a four-year college..

Elliott signed a Dakota Athletic Conference letter of intent with Minot State University.

Elliott hit .360 for the Pacific Coast Conference champion Comets in 27 games.

PALOMAR SOFTBALL COMMITS, SIGNINGS

Player

Pos.

4-Year College

Alex Hutchinson

RHP

Texas A&M Corpus Christi

Andi Anti

SS

Abilene Christian

Shawna Barrow

3B

Abilene Christian

Chelsea Blackman

RHP

Jamestown College

Melissa Elliott

OF

`Minot State

Andrea Nedden

C

Cal State Monterey Bay


Eldridge Women's Coach of Year for all sports

PALM DESERT (5-4-09) --  Palomar softball / women's golf coach Mark Eldridge (left) was voted as Pacific Coast Conference Wen's Sports Coach of the Year for all sports for 2008-09 on Monday. Palomar baseball coach Buck Taylor (left) was elected PCC Men's Sports Coach of the Year for all sports.

Balloting was conducted among PCC Athletic Directors on the first day of the joint Southern California community college conferences' spring meetings at Shadow Mountain Resort and Club.

Eldridge coached the Comets' women's golf team to the Foothill Conference championship and No. 3 in the state finals -- and the softball team to the PCC title.Taylor's baseball team won the Pacific Coast Conference championship, finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the Southern Cal and West Coast polls and enters the Southern California Regionals on Friday as the No. 1 seed.


ABOVE: Alex Hutchinson, who allowed one run in two games on Sunday, delivers against Riverside Community College in playoff action at RCC. BELOW LEFT: Palomar teammate Aimee Mathis scores the only run of the game in the Comets' 1-0 shutout win. -- Photos by Hugh Cox

Hutchinson blanks RCC but Comets bounced

RIVERSIDE (5-3-09) -- Alex Hutchinson (left, photo by Hugh Cox) pitched a three-hit shutout and Palomar defeated Riverside Community College 1-0 Sunday to even the teams' best-of-3 first-round Southern California playoff series at a game apiece.

But Riverside came back to win the rubber game 1-0, eliminating the Comets and ending their season at 22-19.

In the 1-0 win, Hutchinson singled in the second inning, Andi Anti singled in the sixth and Alyssa Wade singled in the seventh for the Comets' three hits.

Aimee Mathis (above right, photo by Hugh Cox) scored the game's only run in the fifth inning at Evans Softball Complex). Hutchinson walked. Wade advanced pinch-runner Mathis on a grounder to third, and Mathis scored the winning run on a throwing error on Shawna Barrow's ground ball to third.

In the rubber game, Hutchinson continually worked her way out of trouble, including bases-loaded jams in the sixth and seventh innings.

Hutchinson doubled in the bottom of the seventh (Palomar was the home team) but was left stranded.

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Hutchinson tosses a no-hitter in first-game loss

RIVERSIDE (5-3-09) -- Palomar's Alex Hutchinson pitched a no-hitter on Saturday evening.

But  the Pacific Coast Conference champion Comets dropped the first game of their first-round best-of-three series vs. Riverside Community College 3-0 at the Tigers' Evans Softball Complex.

Hutchinson retired the first eight RCC hitters, but the Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning on a walk, wild pitch, passed ball and another wild pitch. They added two runs in the sixth.

The Comets couldn't capitalize in the first after Shawna Barrow singled with none out and advanced to third on an error, as Riverside pitcher Corey Williams retired the next three batters.

In the fifth inning, Palomar put two runners on with none out on back-to-back singles by Becca Mussatti and Andi Anti, but again couldn't capitalize.


Jamestown College Athletics

csumb

5 Comets scholarship bound to 4-year level

SAN MARCOS (4-28-09) -- Five players from Palomar's Pacific Coast Conference championship softball championship team have accepted scholarships to four-year college programs.

Moving on: Pitchers Alex Hutchinson and Chelsea Blackman, shortstop Andi Anti, third baseman Shawna Barrow and catcher Andrea Nedden:

  • Pitcher Alex Hutchinson, Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi

  • Pitcher Chelsea Blackman, Jamestown College of North Dakota

 

  • Shortstop Andi Anti, Abilene Christian University

 

  • Third baseman Shawna Barrow, Abilene Christian University

 

  • Catcher Andrea Nedden, Cal State University Monterey Bay

 


Hutchinson Pitcher of Year; Eldridge is honored

SAN DIEGO (4-24-09) -- Palomar sophomore right-hander Alex Hutchinson (left, photo by Hugh Cox) has been selected as Pacific Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year in softball by the conference's coaches.

The Comets' Mark Eldridge was named Coach of the Year.

First-team picks, from the champion Comets, along with Hutchinson, were catcher Adrea Nedden, first baseman Kristin Dahl, infielders Shawna Barrow and Andi Anti, outfielder Becca Mussatti and Aanda Avila at utility. Infielder Sarah Vlahos and outfielder Melissa Elliott

The Southern California Community College post-season playoff seeding meeting is slated for Saturday morning (April 25) at Mt. San Antonio College.

MAY 1 NORTH COUNTY TIMES  FEATURE ON ALEX HUTCHSINSON

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Comets on road for playoffs; Hutchinson is all-state

WALNUT (4-25-09) -- Palomar's Pacific Coast Conference champions will visit Riverside Community College in a best-of-three series to open the Southern California Regionals on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday's game will be played at 7 p.m. The teams will play again on Sunday at 2 p.m., with a third game (if necessary) to follow.

Also Saturday, Palomar pitcher Alex Hutchinson was selected first-team all-state. Shawna Barrow and Andi Anti were named second team all-state and All-Southern California.


ABOVE: Kristin Dahl slides in safely at home on Melissa Elliott's sacrifice fly. -- Photo by Rob Bacon. BELOW LEFT: Becca Mussatti dives back into third after overrunning the base. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW RIGHT: Andrea Nedden delivers a single. -- Photo by Rob Bacon

Comets rally to win 8-3, take undisputed title

SAN MARCOS (4-17-09) -- Trailing Southwestern 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning on Friday, Palomar exploded for six runs to down the Jaguars 8-3, wrapping up an undisputed Pacific Coast Conference championship.

It's the 23rd PCC title for the Comets in the last 24 years. Palomar had clinched at least a tie for the championship by beating defending champion Grossmont on the road on Wednesday.

Kristin Dahl doubled with one out to get the sixth inning rolling for the Comets (21-14, 13-1). Andrew Nedden doubled, Melissa Elliott singled in a run to tie the game. Donna Blackwood walked, Shawna Barrow singled to drive in the winning runs, Becca Mussatti doubled to drive in two runs and Andi anti drove in the final run with a sacrifice fly.

Winning pitcher Alex Hutchinson, who had come in to relieve starter Chelsea Blackman in the fifth inning, then retired the Jaguars in order in the top of  the seventh. She to 13-3 on the season.

For the game, seven Comets had multiple hits -- Nedden (3-for-3, two doubles), Anti (2-for-3, two doubles, sacrifice fly, RBI), Dahl (2-for-3, two doubles), Barrow (2-for-4, triple,  two RBIs), Mussatti (2-for-4, double, two RBIs), Amanda Avila (2-for-4, double, RBI) and  Elliott (2-for-2, sacrifice fly, two RBIs).

For the game, seven Comets had multiple hits -- Nedden (left, 3-for-3, two doubles), Anti (right, 2-for-3, two doubles, sacrifice fly, RBI), Dahl (2-for-3, two doubles), Barrow (2-for-4,trkiple,  two RBIs), Mussatti (2-for-4, double, two RBIs), Amanda Avila (2-for-4, double, RBI) and  Elliott (2-for-2, sacrifice fly, two RBIs).

San Diego Mesa 3, Palomar 2 -- The Pacific Coast Conference champions dropped their regular-season finale in nine innings on the road on Tuesday, April 21.

Kristinn Dahl went 2-for-3 for Palomar (21-17,  13-2) with a home run to lead off the fourth inning. She also was hit by a pitch. Alex Hutchinson had a sacrifice fly.

 

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Cypress, Long Beach capture a pair of close ones

LONG BEACH (4-18-09) -- Palomar dropped two close ones at Long Beach on Saturday, 1-0 to Cypress in eight innings in the first game and 3-0 to Long Beach City College in the second game.

Alex Hutchinson pitched a three-hitter, allowing two earned runs, vs. Long Beach (31-21). Hutchinson scattered eight hits against Cypress (31-21),  which won the game in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Sarah Vlahos (above left) had a single in each game. Kristin Dahl was 2-for-2 in the opener against Long Beach.

 


Comets beat Griffs again, clinch at least title tie

EL CAJON (4-15-09) -- Palomar secured its 23rd Pacific Coast Conference championship in 24 years on Wednesday, ending a one-year drought by beating Grossmont for the second time in three meetings 8-5.

The Comets (20-14, 12-1) clinched no worse than a tie for the title with the victory, and can wrap up an outright championship by beating either Southwestern (Friday at 3 p.m. at home) or San Diego Mesa (on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in San Diego) their last two conference opponents -- or could clinch outright with another Grossmont loss.

The Comets also  the conference's top playoff seed with Wednesday's win, by virtue of winning the season series with the Griffins (29-10, 10-3).

Palomar, which wasted a double  by Andi Anti in the first, took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning on Donna Blackwood's (above left) single, Becca Mussastti's single and Amanda Avila's (above right) two-run double. Grossmont came back to score four runs in the bottom of the inning, but the Comets won it with two more runs in the fourth and four in the top of the sixth to go in front8-4.

Avila went 2-fo-3 with her double and drove in four runs for the Comets. Mussatti had two walks to go along with her single.

Alex Hutchinson was uncharacteristically wild but pitched a four-hitter to advance to 12-3 on the season.


Palomar's Alex Hutchinson is the Pacific Coast Conference Women's Athlete of the Week for all sports. -- Photo by Hugh Cox

Conference honors Palomar pitcher Hutchinson

SAN DIEGO (4-13-09) -- Palomar College softball player Alex Hutchinson has been named Pacific Coast Conference Women's Athlete of the Week for all sports.

Hutchinson, a sophomore pitcher from Rancho Bernardo High School, combined with Chelsea Blackman to pitch an 11-0 no-hitter against Imperial Valley and a 14-0 two-hitter vs. San Diego City College last week. She struck out 14 batters in eight innings in the two mercy-rule games.

Hutchinson is 11-3 on the season and leads the PCC with ERAs of 0.57 (overall) and 0.44 (conference games).


Comets roll up San Diego City College 14-0

SAN MARCOS (4-8-09) -- Palomar's Alex Hutchinson (left) pitched six innings of one-hit ball as she and Chelsea Blackman combined to shut out visiting San Diego City 14-0 in a 4 1/2-inning two-hitter on Wednesday. The Comets banged out 18 hits.

Hutchinson struck out seven of the 14 batters she faced in advancing to 11-3 on the season. At the plate, she went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI as Pacific Coast Conference leader Palomar moved to 19-14, 11-1 in conference.

Andi Anti slugged her sixth home run, a two-run shot in the first inning, and also reached base on a walk and as a hit batter.

Andrea Nedden (above left, 2-for-2, double, sacrifice fly three RBIs), Sara Vlahos (above right, 2-for4-3, double, two RBIs), Becca Mussatti (2-for-3, two RBIs) and Kristin Dahl (2-for-3, RBI) joined Hutchinson with multiple-hit performances.


Hutchinson, Blackman top IVC 11-0 on no-hitter

SAN MARCOS (4-6-09) -- Alex Hutchinson (left) and Chelsea Blackman (right) combined to throw a five-inning no-hitter on Monday as Palomar defeated visiting Imperial Valley 11-0.

Amanda Avila  led the Pacific Coast Conference leaders (18-14, 10-1 conference) at the plate by going 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in the fourth inning.

Hutchinson threw the first four innings, striking out seven batters to move to 10-3 on the season. She struck out six batters in a row along the way.

Shawna Barrow (2-for-3, triple, two runs scored), Becka Mussatti (2-for-2, triple, RBI, sacrifice bunt) joined Avila with multiple hits. Andi Anti ran her consecutive-game hitting streak to 12 games.


Palomar wins, remains alone atop conference

CHULA VISTA (4-1-09) -- Alex Hutchinson threw (left) a three-hit shutout on Wednesday, striking out seven and advancing to 9-3 on the season, as visiting Palomar remained alone atop the Pacific Coast Conference in softball with a 6-0 victory over Southwestern.

Amanda Avila (right) went 2-for-4 for the Comets (17-14, 9-1) with a home run and two RBIs. Andi Anti was 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Shawna Barrow went 2-for-4 and contributed a stolen base.

Palomar will host Imperial Valley next Monday, April 6, at 1 p.m. and will host third-place San Diego City College next Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Palomar vs. Cypress -- The Comets dropped the first game of a non-conference doubleheader at Cypress 3-1.despite a strong pitching performance by Alex Hutchinson. Andi Antil went 2-for-3 with two doubles for Palomar. Shawna Barrow was 2-for-4. The Comets scored their run in the fifth inning. Hutchinson led off with a double, Donna Blackwood moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt and Barrow followed with an RBI single.The Chargers also won the second game 4-0. Anti and Amanda Avila each was 2-for-3.


Comets beat G-House on Anti's walk-off homer

SAN MARCOS (3-25-09) -- Andi Anti (left) slugged a monster walk-off home run over the leftfield fence in the seventh inning on Wednesday, giving Palomar a 2-1 win over visiting Grossmont.

With the victory, the Comets (16-12, 8-1) moved into a tie for first place with the Griffins (21-6, 8-1), who snapped Palomar's streak of 23 straight Pacific Coast Conference titles a year ago.

The Comets' Alex Hutchinson (right, 8-2)  pitched a one-hitter, striking out five. Amanda Avila singled to drive in Kristin Dahl, who had doubled to give the Comets a 1-0 lead in the fifth. Grossmont answered with an unearned run in the sixth. Sarah Vlahos had the other Palomar hit, a double.


Conference picks Barrow as Athlete of the Week

SAN MARCOS (3-23-09) -- Palomar's Shawna Barrow has been selected by the Pacific Coast Conference as its Women's Athlete of the Week for the week that ended on Sunday.

Barrow, a sophomore third baseman from Ramona High School, went 12-for-17 and drove in 11 runs for three games during the week.

Barrow went f-for-5 with three doubles and drove in seven runs in a 15-3 victory over Imperial Valley on Tuesday.

She was 3-for-5 with an RBI in a 13-6 win over San Diego City College on Thursday.

She was 2-for-3 as the Comets defeated College of the Canyons 2-0 on in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday.

And she was 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs in a 10-6 loss to the Cougars in the second game.

Photo at right: Barlow singles to drive in a run in the second game of Saturday's double-header with College of the Canyons.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABOVE: Andi Anti reaches out and hits her fourth home run of the season to give the Comets a 2-0 win in the first game. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW LEFT: Alex Hutchinson, who threw a two-hitter in the opener.

Hutchinson throws shutout as Comets split

SAN MARCOS (3-21-09) -- Alex Hutchinson (left, 7-2) pitched a two-hitter, striking out seven, as Palomar turned back visiting College of the Canyons 2-0 in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday.

Andi Anti slugged a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning, scoring Sarah Vlahos who was aboard on a single, to account for both Palomar runs. It was her fourth HR.

For the game, Anti, Shawna Barrow and Vlahos were all 2-for-3. Vlahos also had a steal.

Canyons won the second game 10-6. Barrow went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs for Palomar (15-12).


Vlahos, Barrow and Dahl combine for 10 hits

SAN DIEGO (3-20-09) --  Sarah Vlahos Iright), Shawna Barrow and Kristin Dahl pounded out 10 hits between them as visiting Palomar downed San Diego City College 13-6 in a Pacific Coast Conference softball game on Friday.

Vlahos went 4-for-5 with a double and four RBIs. Barrow was 3-for-5 with an RBI, four runs scored and a steal. Dahl went 3-for-4 with a triple and scored twice. Andi Anti slugged her third home run and also walked, hit a sacrifice fly and drove in three runs.

The Comets are 14-11, 7-1 in the conference.


Barrow (4-for-5, 7 RBIs) paces 22-hit attack in rout

IMPERIAL (3-19-09) -- Shawna Barrow (left) went 4-for-5 with three doubles and seven RBIs on Wednesday as Palomar pounded out 22 hits in a 15-3 Pacific Coast Conference victory over Imperial Valley on the road.

Melissa Elliott (4-for-4, two RBIs), Andi Anti (right, 3-for-4, double), winning pitcher Alex Hutchinson (3-for-4, RBI), Becca Mussatti (2-for-3, walk) and Kristin Dahl (2-for-4) also had multiple hits

 as the Comets advanced to 13-11 on the season (6-1 in conference).


Davis at .568, LCU 25-0 after topping Jamestown

TUCSON, Ariz. (3-14-09) -- Ex-Palomar standout Ginalee Davis raised her batting average to .568 on Saturday as defending NAIA national champion and No. 1-ranked Lubbock Christian University advanced to 25-0 on the season.

Davis' two-run single in the second inning helped break the game open as the Lady Chaparrals defeated another national NAIA power, Jamestown College, 9-0 in the Tucson Invitational tournament. The Jimmies, from Jamestown, ND, came in with a 10-3 record. It was Lubbock Christian's second-closest game of the tournament.

Davis, who helped lead the Lady Chaps to the 2008 national title, is 46-for-81 on the season with 33 runs scored, 13 doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 42 RBIs. She has a 1.012 slugging percentage.


ABOVE: Donna Blackwood drives in Palomar's third run on a sixth-inning sacrifice fly against San Diego Mesa on Friday. -- Photo by Hugh Cox. BELOW LEFT: Alex Hutchinson, who pitched a two-hit shutout.

Hutchinson throws 3-0 shutout at Olympians

SAN MARCOS (3-13-09) -- Alex Hutchinson's return from the injured list is not turning out well for Palomar's softball opponents.

In her best effort yet since her return, Hutchinson threw a two-hit shutout as the Comets defeated San Diego Mesa 3-0 on Friday in a Pacific Coast Conference game.

Andi Anti went 2-for-3, doubled, drove in a run and stole a base for the Comets (12-9, 5-1).

Palomar scored all the game's runs in the sixth inning. Anti's RBI double broke a scoreless tie, and Andrea Nedden and Donna Blackwood drove in the second and third runs with a single and sacrifrice fly, respectively.

Palomar vs. Mt. SAC, Cypress -- On Saturday, March 14, the Comets dropped a pair of non-conference decisions at home, 2-0 to the Mounties and 8-0 to the Chargers.

Alex Hutchinson dropped a pitching decision against Mt. SAC. Andi Anti (2-for-3) and Kristin Dahl (2-for-3) paced a six-hit attack in defeat for the Comets.

Shawna Barrow was 2-for-3 vs. Cypress, hitting a hard shot to center field and bunting for a base hit. Anti tripled into the right-center field gap.

The Comets are 12-11.


Anti's grand-slam helps lift Comets to 9-3 win

SAN MARCOS (3-5-09) -- Palomar broke open a close game with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to down visiting San Diego City College 9-3 in a Pacific Coast Conference softball game on Thursday.

Amanda Avila singled to lead off the inning, Becca Mussatti walked, Sarah Vlahos was hit by a pitch, and Andi Anti (above left) followed with a full-count grand-slam home run. Kristin Dahl then singled, and Alex Hutchinson hit a deep double that drove her in.

Anti drove in five runs as Palomar advanced to 11-6, 4-0 in conference. Hutchinson was 3-for-3, doubled twice and walked. Mussatti walked twice and scored twice in going 1-for-1.

Grossmont 5, Palomar 4 -- In the Wednesday, March 11 game, the Griffins scored two unearned runs in the first inning and went on to down the visiting Comets in a battle for the early Pacific Coast Conference lead.

Donna Blackwood was 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs for the Comets (11-9, 4-1). Andrea Nedden was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Alex Hutchinson was 2-for-3 on a pair of singles to the opposite side and scored twice.

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Palomar drops pair of non-conference heartbreakers

WALNUT (3-6-09) -- Palomar dropped narrow decisions to Mt. SAC 2-1 and Santa Ana 1-0 when the Comets traveled to Mt. SAC for a pair of non-conference games on Friday.

Shawna Barrow went 2-for-3 with a triple and steal vs. Mt. SAC. She scored the Comets' only run of the day in the top of the sixth. Sarah Vlahos drove her in with a double, after Barrow had tripled. The Mounties won the game on an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh on a bad throw on a bunt and a sacrifice fly.

The Dons beat the Comets on an unearned run in the second game of the afternoon. BNarrow was 2-for-4 with a steal for Palomar (11-8 overall). Andrea Nedden doubled and walked. Alyssa Wade singled and stole a base.


Hutchinson returns with no-hitter in victory

SAN MARCOS (3-3-09) -- Pitcher Alex Hutchinson (right) returned from the injured list on Tuesday, throwing a no-hitter as Palomar downed visiting Imperial Valley in a 9-1 run-rule game to advance to 10-6 on the season, 3-0 in the Pacific Coast Conference. Hutchinson advanced to 3-1 on the year.

Shawna Barrow's two-run double ended the game in the bottom of the fifth. She wound up going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored and two steals. Andi Anti was 2-for-2 with two doubles, two RBIs and a steal. She also was hit by a pitch.

Hutchinson surrendered an unearned run in the second inning.


Palomar wins PCC opener in last of seventh

SAN MARCOS (2-25-09) -- Palomar won its Pacific Coast Conference softball opener 8-7 at home over Southwestern on Wednesday.

Becca Mussatti went 2-for-4 with two doubles and the game-winning RBI in the bottom of the seventh inning. Donna Blackwood was 22-for-2 with a double and three RBIs.

The Comets, who dropped a 3-0 non-conference decision at Riverside Community College on Monday evening, are 8-6 overall.

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Comets win 5-4 on road vs. Mesa, go 2-0 in PCC

SAN DIEGO (2-27-09) -- Palomar advanced to 2-0 in the Pacific Coast Conference, defeating San Diego Mesa 5-4 on the road on Friday.

Sarah Vlahos went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for the Comets, who moved to 9-6 on the season.


Anti, Barrow, Comets get three wins in two days

SAN MARCOS (2-21-09) -- Coach Mark Eldridge's Palomar softball squad capped a big two-day stretch on Saturday by defeating Long Beach City College 7-4 and Citrus 9-3 as Andi Anti (left) went 7-for 7 in a pair of non-conference games at home.

Palomar downed Mt. San Jacinto 10-2 in a non-conference contest on the road on Friday and wound up going 3-0 during the two-day span.. Sophomore pitcher Chelsea Blackman was the winner in all three games.

Anti finished the weekend 9-for-11 and Shawna Barrow (above right) was 8-for-10 over the three games as the Comets advanced to 7-5 on the season.

Palomar 7, Long Beach CC 4 -- The Comets broke a 4-4 tie with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Anti, who went 4-for-4 with a stolen base for the game, led off the inning with a single and scored on Andrea Nedden's double. Donna Blackwood went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a steal. Barrow was 2-for-3 with two singles, a walk, an RBI and a steal.

Palomar 9, Citrus 3 -- Barrow went 3-for-3 with a triple, two RBIs, a walk and a lrun scored, while Anti was 3-for-3 with two doubles, a steal, three runs scored and a walk. Amanda Avila went 2-for-4 and slugged a two-run home run in the fifth inning, scoring Anti ahead of her.


ABOVE: Sarah Vlahos turns a double play in Palomar's game with Saddleback on Friday. BELOW LEFT: Chelsea Blackman delivers a pitch. -- Photos by Hugh Cox

Comets drop heartbreaker to Gauchos in eight

SAN MARCOS (2-13-09) -- Sarah Vlahos went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Andi Anti was 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored on Friday, but Palomar dropped a 5-4 heart-breaking non-conference decision to visiting Saddleback.

Alyssa Wade went 2-for-4 and Shawna Barrow had a double for the Comets (4-4), out-hit the Gauchos 11-7.

Palomar, trailing 3-0, tied the game with a three-run fifth inning.

Then, down 4-3, the Comets tied the game with a run in the bottom of the seventh to force an extra inning.

Palomar is 4-4 on the season.

The Comets' game at Mt. San Jacinto, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, has been postponed until Friday, Feb. 20, due to wet conditions.

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Palomar falls to Riverside Community College

SAN MARCOS (2-19-09) -- Palomar dropped a 12-2 non-conference decision to Riverside Community College on Thursday at home. Shawna Barrow went 2-for-3 for the Comets in the game, which was halted after five innings.

Palomar scored both its runs in the third inning. Barrow singled, Sarah Vlahos walked Kristin Dahl singled to drive in Barrow and Amanda Avila singled to score Vlahos.


Comets rout Pasadena City College 12-6 on road

PASADENA (2-11-09) -- Designated hitter Amanda Avila went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and four RBIs on Wednesday.

Her performance helped lead the way as Palomar downed Pasadena City College 12-6 in a non-conference game at Brookside Park.

Christina Medina went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base. Shawna Barrow (right) was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Becca Mussatti went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a steal. Andrea Nedden was 2-for-5

The Comets, who got a complete-game pitching performance from Chelsea Blackburn, advanced to 4-3 on the season.


Barrow's walk-off double stuns No. 1 Falcons

SAN MARCOS (2-3-09) -- Shawna Barrow's two-run, walk-off double down the rightfield line in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted Palomar's softball team to a 9-8 non-conference victory over state No.1-ranked Cerritos on Tuesday in the Comets' home opener. Barrow (left) went 3-for-5.

The Comets (3-3) banged out 16 hits in support of winning pitcher Alex Hutchinson (2-1).

Kristin Dahl went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Sarah Vlahos was 2-3 with two doubles, Andi Anti (right) 2-4 with a double, Andrea Nedden 2-3 with two runs scored and Amanda Avila 2-4 -- each with an RBI.


Comets pick up pair of wins in Nevada tourney

HENDERSON, Nevada (2-5-09) -- Palomar marked Mark Eldridge's return as head coach with a pair of victories to open the three-day Southern Nevada Classic

The Comets opened the season on Friday by beating Snow (Utah) 7-1 as Andi Anti went 3-for-3 with an RBI, a walk and a stolen base. Winning pitcher Alex Hutchinson (left) threw a three-hitter, striking out four.

Palomar then downed Salt Lake City Community College 5-4 in eight innings as Anti was 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs. Shawna Barrow was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Chelsea Blackman pitched a complete game.

In their first game Saturday the Comets fell 3-2 to Yavapai (Arizona), the No. 5-ranked team in the National Junior College Athletic Association (non-California schools). Anti was 1-for-two, stole a base and walked. Barrow doubled. Hutchinson tripled in a run and Kristin Dahl doubled with an RBI and two runs scored in an 8-5 loss to North Idaho.

The Comets finished the tournament with a 4-0 loss to Western Nebraska on Sunday morning as Eldridge cleared his bench. Dahl came on in the seventh inning to get the Comets out of a jam by retiring three straight batters. Christina Medina went 2-for-3. Marcella Herder tripled. Donna Blackwood had the Comets' other hit, a single.


1,040-game winner Eldridge, Comets open in Nev.

SAN MARCOS (1-9-09) -- Mark Eldridge (left), who guided the Palomar softball team to 1,040 victories, 21 consecutive Pacific Coast Conference championships and three state titles from 1978 through 2006, is back as head coach and his 2009 Comets will debut on Jan. 30-Feb. 1 in Henderson, Nevada.

The Comets will play in the Community College of Southern Nevada Kickoff Classic at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park.

Palomar will open the season and the tournament against two opponents from Utah on Friday, Jan., 30, facing Snow College at 12:30 p.m. and Salt Lake Community College at 3 p.m. On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Comets will play Western Nevada Community College at 12:30 p.m. and North Idaho College at 5:15 p.m. The Comets will conclude the tournament on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 8 a.m. with a game against the host team, Community College of Southern Nevada.

Eldridge's assistant coaches are Associate Head Coach Lacey Craft and Tony Ferracone.

NORTH COUNTY TIMES FEATURE ON MARK ELDRIDGE

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PALOMAR COLLEGE SOFTBALL UNDER MARK ELDRIDGE - YEAR-BY-YEAR

1978 – 14-5, Conference co-champions

1979 – 17-3, Second in conference

1980 – 24-5, Conference champions, third in regionals

1981 – 36-4, Conference champions, third in regionals

1982 – 26-8, Second in conference, fourth in regionals, 100th win

1983 – 25-10-1, Second in conference

1984 – 32-16, Conference champions, second in regionals

1985 – 26-19, Second in conference, 200th win

1986 – 34-12, Conference champions, second in regionals, second in State

1987– 40-9, Conference c-champions, third in regionals

1988 – 35-8-1, Conference champions, second in regionals, second in state, 300th win

1989 – 39-6-1, Conference champions, regional champions, State champions

1990 – 47-6, Conference champions, regional champions, second in State

1991 – 38-10, Conference champions, regional champions, fourth in State, 400th win

1992 – 42-9, Conference champions, regional champions, second in State

1993 – 50-3, Conference champions, regional champions, State champions, 500th win

1994 – 37-13-1, Conference champions, regional champions, fifth in State

1995 -- 36-7, Conference champions, regionals champions, seventh in State

1996 – 49-10, Conference champions, regional champions, third in State, 600th win

1997 – 44-15, Conference champions, regional champions, third in State

1998 – 38-7, Conference champions, regional champions, fourth in State, 700th win

1999 – 41-14, Conference champions, regional champions, fifth in State

2000 – 48-7-1, Conference champions, regional champions, State champions, 800th win

2001 – 37-9, Conference champions, regional champions, fourth in State

2002 – 48-8, Conference champions, regional champions, third in state, 900th win

2003 – 35-18, Conference champions, second in regionals

2004 – 25-12-1, Conferences champions, regional third round

2005 – 42-6, Conference champions, regional champions, second in State, 1,000th win

2006 – 35-13, Conference champions

Career record: 1,040-272-6

2009 Softball Schedule, Results

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME/RESULT RECORD CONF
Fri Jan 30 Snow (Utah) (Southern Nevada Classic) Henderson, NV WON 7-1 1-0  
 

Salt Lake CC (Utah) (So. Nev. Classic)

Henderson, NV

WON 5-4

2-0   
Sat Jan 31

Yavapai CC (Arizona) (So. Nev. Classic)

Henderson, NV

Lost 2-3

2-1  
  North Idaho (So. Nev. Classic) Henderson, NV Lost 5-8 2-2   
Sun Feb 1 Western Nebraska CC Henderson, NV Lost 0-4 2-3   
Tue Feb 3 Cerritos Home WON 9-8 3-3   
Wed Feb 11 Pasadena City College Away WON 12-6 4-3  
Fri Feb 13 Saddleback Home Lost 4-5 (8) 4-4  
Thu Feb 19 Riverside Community College Home Lost 2-12 4-5  
Tue Feb 17 Mt. San Jacinto Away WON 10-2 5-5  
Sat Feb 21 Long Beach City College Home WON 7-4 6-5  
  Citrus Home WON 9-3 7-5  
Mon Feb 23 Riverside Community College Away Lost 0-3 7-6  
Wed Feb 25 Southwestern (Pacific Coast Conference game) Home WON 8-7 8-6 1-0
Fri Feb. 27 San Diego Mesa (PCC game) Away WON 5-4 9-6 2-0
Tue Mar 3 Imperial Valley (PCC game) Home WON 9-1 10-6 3-0
Thu Mar 5 San Diego City College (PCC game) Home WON 9-3 11-6 4-0
Fri Mar 6 Mt. SAC Mt. SAC Lost 1-2 11-7 4-0
  Santa Ana Mt. SAC Lost 0-1 11-8 4-0
Wed Mar 11 Grossmont (PCC game) Away Lost 4-5 11-9 4-1
Fri Mar 13 San Diego Mesa (PCC game) Home WON 3-0 12-9 5-1
Sat Mar 14 Mt. SAC Home Lost 0-2 12-10  
  Cypress Home Lost 0-8 12-11  
Wed Mar 18 Imperial Valley (PCC game) Away WON 15-3 13-11 6-1
Fri Mar 20 San Diego City College (PCC game) Away WON 13-6 14-11 7-1
Sat Mar 21 College of the Canyons Home WON 2-0 15-11  
  College of the Canyons Home Lost 0-8 15-12  
Wed Mar 25 Grossmont (PCC game) Home WON 2-1 16-12 8-1
Tue Mar 31 Cypress (Rain make-up) Cypress Lost 1-3 16-13  
  Cypress (Rain make-up) Cypress Lost 0-4 16-14  
Wed Apr 1 Southwestern (PCC game) Away WON 6-0 17-14 9-1
Mon Apr 6 Imperial Valley (PCC game) Home WON 11-0 18-14 10-1
Wed Apr 8 San Diego City College (PCC game) Home WON 14-0 19-14 11-1
Wed Apr 15 Grossmont (PCC game) Away WON 8-5 20-14 12-1
Fri Apr 17 Southwestern (PCC game) Home WON 8-3 21-14 13-1
Sat Apr 18 Cypress Long Beach CC Lost 0-1  (8) 21-15  
  Long Beach City College Long Beach CC Lost 0-3 21-16  
Tue Apr 21 San Diego Mesa (PCC game) Away Lost 2-3 21-17 13-2

Southern California Regional Playoffs, Round 1

Sat May 2 Riverside Community College Away Lost 0-3 21-18  
Sun May 3 Riverside Community College Away WON 1-0 22-18   
  Riverside Community College Away Lost 0-1 22-19  

2009 Roster

No Name Pos Yr High School (City)
1 Zashary Strong OF Fr San Pasqual (Escondido, CA)
2 Aimee Mathis OF So San Marcos (San Marcos, CA)
3 Katrina Cutshaw OF So Santa Fe Christian (Solana Beach, CA)

5

Bonnie Brazee

1B

Fr

Fallbrook (Fallbrook, CA)

6 Sarah Vlahos 2b Fr Mission Hills (San Marcos, CA)

7

Andrea Nedden P / OF So Grossmont (La Mesa, CA)
8 Becca Mussatti OF Fr Valley Center (Valley Center, CA)
10 Ashley Metzger C Fr San Marcos (San Marcos, CA)
11 Donna Blackwood OF Fr Mission Hills (San Marcos, CA)
14 Melissa Elliott OF So Christian Life Academy (Escondido, CA)
15 Tiffany Harrington OF Fr Palcer (Auburn, CA)
16 Marcella Herder 1B Fr Vista (Vista, CA)
18 Kristen Herrera INF Fr Vista (Vista, CA)
19 Alyssa Wade UT So Fallbrook (Fallbrook, CA)
21 Chelsea Blackman P So Peninsula (Palos Verdes, CA)
22 Amanda Avila UT Fr Carlsbad (Carlsbad, CA)
23 Shawna Barrow UT So Ramona (Ramona, CA)
24 Theresa Houle DH So Ramona (Ramona, CA)
29 Alex Hutchinson UT So Rancho Bernardo (Rancho Bernardo, CA)
33 Andi Anti SS So Holtville (Holtville, CA)
34 Kristin Dahl OF Fr Guajome Park Academy (Vista, CA)

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