The San Diego Mesa College softball team took on the Comets from Palomar College Feb. 22 here at Mesa. The Olympians lost a pitcher’s duel 1-0 to open up conference play.

Laura Nelson pitched a complete game for Mesa, who has climbed up the rankings to the number eight team in the state following a hot start.

Nelson scattered six hits over seven innings of work. Nelson held Palomar scoreless until the top of the sixth when the Comets bats came alive.

Palomar, who extended their win streak to four,began the inning with a double that was just out of reach of a diving Vivian Garcia’s glove in the left center field gap. With one out and one runner on base, the Comets hit another ball to the same gap with the same results, just out of reach of the diving Garcia for another double driving in the lone run for the game.

“She gave a great effort, that’s all you can ask of her on that,” Nelson said referring to Garcia. “Definitely in the last couple innings of the game you definitely feel the pressure,” the pitcher said when asked if the lack of offensive production by her team makes it harder to pitch.

Mesa’s offense was fairly dormant for the day getting six hits but never stringing anything together to shake Nelson’s counterpart, Palomar’s pitcher, Carlie Daniel. Daniel also pitched a complete game.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Mesa had its first base runner advance past second base. Andrea Lara came up with two outs and hit one just over the top of the center fielders reach for a triple

She would be left standing on third as pinch hitter Alexis Sacay struck out looking to end the game.

“We just can’t win if we don’t hit,” Nelson said summing up the game.

Mesa’s record on the season drops to 11-3 and 0-1 in conference play. Palomar improves to 8-3 and 1-0 in the conference.

Mesa will be back in action at home on Friday, March 8 against San Diego City College.