No. 23 Comets knock off No. 3 Tigers

SAN MARCOS, CA (2/19/2022) — No. 23 Palomar College took on No. 3 Riverside City College on Saturday and won 11-8 to complete their first 3-0 week on the season. The Comets and Tigers faced each other earlier this week and after going up 4-0, Palomar gave up 7 runs in the fourth inning before coming back to win 8-7. The California Community College Sports Information Association poll came out on Thursday, which ranked RCC No. 3 and Palomar No. 23. Expect Palomar to rise in the next poll after knocking off RCC twice.

In the highly anticipated rematch, the Comets went down 3-0 early in the second inning, as RCC had something to prove after dropping their game to Ventura College on Thursday in the ninth. Palomar, who has come back in almost every game this season, got one run back. The Tigers kept chipping away at a steady lead, but the Comets kept coming back, especially after a huge 5 run eighth inning that sealed the deal for the Comets. With both benches chirping at one another all game, Quincy Scott got things going for the Comets on a lead-off walk, followed by Carter Hain. Shortstop Erik Larsen then reached first on an error. With the bases loaded and one out, pinch hitter Jackson Garrett doubled to score two Comets. Bryson Hashimoto doubled after a pitching change to bring in two more runs. On a groundout by Jack Sanders, Hashimoto advanced to third and then scored on a wild pitch to score the final run of the game. 

Dylan Delvecchio was the starting pitcher for the Comets. He pitched five complete innings and allowed five runs on seven hits. He walked one batter and recorded eight strikeouts. Connor McBride was the winning pitcher and moves to 1-0 on the season. In one inning pitched, McBride allowed one home run. Austin Schroeder recorded his fourth save for the Comets as he retired the Tigers in order with three strikeouts.  

The Comets move to 7-3 on the season and will play Saddleback College on Tuesday on the road. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.