SANTA ANA - In a game that started off as a pitcher's duel, the Dons lost to visiting Palomar College 6-2 as the Comets offense came alive in the fourth and fifth innings. The loss drops the Dons to 16-10 on the season while Palomar improves to 19-7.

Devon Rodriguez was controlling the game early on as she retired the first eight batters she faced, throwing as little as four pitches in the second inning. But after the Comets drew a two-out walk in the fourth inning, Paige Falconieri made it hurt with a two-run home to put Palomar up 2-0 in the fourth.

The Comets would add four more runs in the fifth inning, on just two hits, to go up 6-0. Palomar took advantage of two walks while another two batters reached on fielder's choices.

Offensively, the Dons threatened to score in the first two innings with Danielle Hernandez reaching third after drawing a leadoff walk in the first and Karina Rosas making it to second in the second after getting the game's first hit. But the Dons failed to bring either runner around, keeping the game scoreless in those early innings.

It wasn't until the fifth inning, already trailing 6-0, that the Dons were able to score, aided by a passed ball. Marissa Ross led the frame off with a single before going to second on a single by Genna Main. Both runners advanced on a passed ball before Ross scored on a RBI-ground out by Danielle Hernandez.

The Dons second run came in the sixth inning when Sabrina Perez drew a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Natalie Valdez who scored on Rodriguez' double to right-centerfield.

Despite her hot start, Rodriguez (8-3) suffered the loss for the Dons as she allowed six runs, all earned, on seven hits. Brenna Parker (7-4) got the win for Palomar as she allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits over seven innings.