Lazuka homers three times in sweep over IVC

SAN MARCOS, CA (3/29/2024) -- Palomar College has been rolling through their conference schedule and they moved to 13-0 in their conference play after a three-game series sweep against Imperial Valley College this week. 

They opened the series with a 14-6 win in the desert, followed by an 8-4 home win and then a 13-2 seven-inning win on Friday to cap off the week. 

The Comets scored nine runs in the third inning on Tuesday thanks to a three-run home run by Noah Lazuka immediately followed by a solo shot by Makana Olaso. The Comets sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning. Imperial Valley was able to quiet the Comets after that keeping them to just three hits and two runs through the remainder of the game. The Comet pitching staff was headed by Ryan Herrod, who moved to 5-0 on the season. Herrod pitched five innings and allowed five runs on nine hits and struck out three. Nathaniel Helton pitched three innings and allowed one run on two hits and struck out two. Noah Waldeck closed it out with two strikeouts. 

Back at home, the Comets trailed 3-0 going into the fourth where they scored four runs to take to the lead. They then added on two more in the fifth and another two in the sixth. Lazuka hit his second homer in as many games, this time a solo shot in the fifth. Ian Mowad started on the mound for the Comets and pitched six innings. He allowed three runs on six hits and struck out five. Holden Carpenter pitched two hitless innings where he struck out three. Evan Langer pitched the ninth and allowed one run on two hits and had one strikeout. 

It was all Palomar in the final game of the series. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Imperial Valley got one back in the bottom of the first. The Comets then scored five more in the second, one in the third, two in the fourth and three in the fifth before settling down. Lazuka and Olaso went back-to-back again with single home runs. That was Lazuka's third in as a many games and fourth this season and Olaso's eighth. Eric Van Valkenburg got the nod to start the game and finished with six strikeouts and allowed one run on six hits in four innings pitched. Nick Crystal, Lucas Smith and Brandon Bollerer each pitched an inning. Smith struck out the side after allowing a hit and a walk. Crystal and Bollerer each issued a walk and struck out two. 

Palomar moves to 19-7 overall and are up to No. 6 in the latest regional poll. They are 13-0 in conference play and will begin their final regular season series against Grossmont College on Tuesday at the ballpark. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m.