Knights’ softball has fallen to fourth place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference with an 18-17 season and 7-7 conference record, after losing three of their last five games.
The Knights’ season started on a positive note with the 100th career victory for Head Coach LeeAnn Taylor, when City shut out L.A. Pierce 15-0. Since the victory, the girls have played 23 games and lost half of them.
The Knights’ were swept by PCAC rival Palomar this season, having lost to the Comets three times. The loss that sealed the sweep was a disappointing 11-0 blowout on April 7.
Palomar pitcher Danielle LeBeau threw a one-hitter, never allowing City to score any runs. LeBeau also had two RBIs, two doubles and two runs scored.
Other Comets shone brightly against City. Outfielder and pitcher Kelli Starr had one run and one steal. Infielders Ashley Dawson and Melissa Valdez went two-for-three at the plate with one run and one RBI. Outfielders Regina Norris and Jen Mathis and first basemen Bonnie Brazee all hit singles.
For Palomar, beating City was more than beating a PCC rival; it was a chance to catch-up to first place Grossmont College.
While Palomar swept City, the Knights had swept two teams in the PCAC: Southwestern (10-3) on April 14 and Imperial Valley (10-1) on April 16.
Against Southwestern, freshman pitcher Hannah Shafer pitched for five innings, allowing only two runs on three hits, and struck out three batters. Shafer also went two-for-three at the plate with three RBIs.
The Knights’ stars came out to play. Outfielder Shaakirah Ransom went two-for-three with one RBI and scored two runs. Outfielder and center Leona Reyna had one RBI and went three-for-four.
The Southwestern Jaguars started to gain momentum in the third inning scoring two runs to close the gap in the lead. In the bottom of the sixth inning City scored four runs securing the 10-3 win and the sweep.
Having lost the three of their last five games, being defeated by San Diego Mesa (6-0), Palomar (11-0), Grossmont (8-0), the Knights are not likely to see the postseason this year.
