A Comeback for the Ages
The Palomar College baseball squad turned a rocky start into a decisive turnaround, winning the first contest 11‑5 before dropping a 14‑1 decision in the second game and then posting a 9‑0 shutout to clinch a spot in the championship round.
Game 1 saw right‑hander Elijah Stephens dominate the mound while also delivering a strong bat, and Preston Conklin added three RBIs and reached base four times, setting the tone for the Comets. Reliever Cody Cappelletti entered in the seventh inning and struck out five batters, sealing the 11‑5 victory.
The second game proved tougher as Santa Barbara City College’s Vaquero star pitcher Wylan Nelson fanned 12 Comet hitters, leading to a 14‑1 loss that left Palomar facing an uphill battle.
In the decisive third game, Ryan Herrod limited the Vaqueros to just three hits over four innings, while Adrian Macias and Elijah Stephens contributed key offensive hits that helped the Comets pull away for a 9‑0 win.
Championship Outlook
The championship series is scheduled for May 23 at the Great Park Baseball Complex in Irvine, where Palomar will meet the Feather River College Golden Eagles in a bid for the title.