Comets fall short to Hornets

FULLERTON, CA (2/8/2020) – The Comets were leading 2-0 heading into the fifth inning when the Fullerton Hornets scored five runs to take the lead. The Hornets scored two more runs and, in an attempt, to take the lead, the Comets fell short in the ninth scoring just one run to lose 7-6 on the road.

After the Hornets scored five runs in the fifth inning, the Comets came back to score three more to tie the game in the sixth. Bryce Roe tripled to center field and Kevin Michaels singled to score Roe. Noah Hemphill then singled, advancing Michaels to second. Jaisten Cabatbat then reached on a fielder's choice and Hemphill advanced on the throw. Michaels was out at third. With runners on first and second, Evan Ianniciello walked to bring Brady LaVoie to the plate. He singled through the left side to score Hemphill and Cabatbat.

The Comets had trouble finding momentum in the seventh and eighth innings but were able to score one more run in the ninth, but it wasn't enough to regain the lead.

Gavin Kinney led the battery for the Comets with Devlin Lindeman behind the plate. Kinney pitched 4.1 innings and allowed two runs on one hit, walked four and struck out four. He faced 17 batters. Cade Swenson was the losing pitcher for Palomar. In the 1.2 innings he pitched, he allowed three runs on three hits and walked one batter. Alex Blaszyk pitched one inning and allowed one run to along with one walk. Trevor Riley closed for the Comets and he allowed just one hit, walked two and struck out two.

Palomar is now 3-3 overall and will be away on Tuesday, Feb. 11 to face Riverside at 4 p.m.

Top Performers

Brady LaVoie – Double; 2-4; 4 RBIs

Bryce Roe – Triple; 2-5; 1 RBI

Noah Hemphill – 1 RBI; 1 run; 2-4