Comets unbeaten so far in Colorado tournament

So far, the Nevada Comets are hitting 1.000 at the Firecracker Invitational ASA age group softball tournament in Broomfield, Colo. That's five games and five victories, including a 13-1 triumph against the Colorado Quicksilver in the opening round of the double elimination bracket play on Thursday.

The Comets are one of 68 teams entered in the 14-and-under age bracket in a tournament that has attracted teams from around the nation.

Jaci Carlsen and Kayla Sanchez delivered two hits each, while Mallary Darby and Cassie Hunt combined to pitch one-hit ball for the Comets in their win over Colorado. Carlsen was 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBIs and Sanchez was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases.

The Comets finished their pool play with a 4-0 record.

"We were one of only three teams to go undefeated in the pool play and there were 14 pools," Comets manager Louie Sanchez said. "We're playing pretty well. I think stepping up to play in the 16-year-old tournaments like we did has really helped us out."

On Wednesday, Hunt pitched a three-hitter to help the Comets to a 5-1 victory against the Illinois Outlaws. Hunt struck out two and walked two in the game.

A three-run fifth inning provided some breathing room as the Comets broke open a 2-1 contest. Abbay Fox singled one run home while Britton Murdock and Carlsen contributed singles during that rally.

Amanda Collier hit 2-for-2 with one RBI in the game, Carlsen was 2-for-3 with one RBI and Murdock 2-for-4.

Earlier on Wednesday, Samantha Puzey slammed a three-run homer over the right-center field fence to break a 1-1 tie and propel the Comets to a 5-1 victory against the Oklahoma Fury.

Darby hit 2-for-2 with two doubles, while Justine Cooper, Dacey Hassey and Carlsen contributed singles. Darby also pitched the six-inning distance, struck out five and walked four.

Murdock, who earned first-team all-league honors at DH for Reno High School during the spring season, hit a two-run homer over the 216-foot sign in center field to help the Comets defeat the Texas Storm in their tournament opener on Tuesday. Murdock's home run gave the Comets a 5-1 lead in the fifth inning.

Kayla Sanchez, Carlsen and Murdock collected two hits each, while Darby pitched all six innings and struck out 10 to earn credit for the win.

Murdock also hit 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs to help the Comets post a 7-5 win over Top Zone from Washington. Sanchez went 2-for-3, Puzey 2-for-4 and Hassey 2-for-4, while Abby Rankl and Fox contributed base hits of their own.

Puzey started and pitched four innings before giving way to Darby, who worked the final two innings to pick up a save.