Comets end season in Regional Finals
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Santa Ana | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 17 | 2 |
|
Palomar | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 3 |
SAN MARCOS, CA (5/19/2024) -- The magical 2024 Palomar Baseball season came to an end as the Santa Ana College Dons defeated the Coemts 12-10 to advance to the 3C2A State Finals.
The Dons got on the board first with four runs in the top of the first. The Comets refused to let it affect them and answered with two runs in the second to cut the lead in half. Santa Ana was determined and scored six runs in the top of the third to potentially put the game out of reach. But this is Palomar Baseball and a lot of empty frames were still on the scoreboard.
Like they have all postseason, the Comets chipped away at the score. They got one run back in the third, scored another in the fourth and let the floodgates open in the fifth.
Palomar drew within two following two RBI singles by Ian Halverson and Elijah Cook and a hit by pitch by Noah Lazuka to bring in a run and another walk to Makana Olaso to score the inning's fourth run. Still down, but not out, the Comets entered the eighth. Luke Matthews grounded out but was able to plate Olaso to bring the COmets within one. Patrick McLellan then singled to score Ryan Rivera and tie it up.
Holding the Dons scoreless in the ninth, the Comets had another opportunity to take the lead, but fell short and forced extra innings. The Dons responded with two runs in the top of the 10th and the momentum shift was too much for the Comets who ended their season.
After a shaky start by pitcher Eric Van Valkenburg, who allowed 10 runs on 11 hits in 2.1 innings pitched, the bullpen did exactly what was asked of them. Holden Carpenter pitched 3.2 innings and held the hot Dons to four hits and recorded four strikeouts. Nathaniel Helton pitched one inning of hitless ball before Noah Waldeck came in. Waldeck pitched 3.0 innings and allowed two runs, neither earned, on two hits and struck out two.
The Comets end their season 36-11 overall and the PCAC Champions with a 23-2 record. This was their third straight postseason appearance and their second Regional Final appearance in three seasons.