Palomar Bounces Back with Explosive 16-7 Victory Over Orange Coast

COSTA MESA, CA (1/30/2025) -- After suffering their first loss of the season against Saddleback College on Tuesday, the Palomar College baseball team responded in emphatic fashion, overpowering Orange Coast College 16-7 on the road Thursday afternoon at John Altobelli Park. The Comets' relentless offense and strong bullpen performance propelled them to their third win of the season.

The game started as a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading early blows. Palomar jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on Orange Coast defensive miscues and a sacrifice fly by Carter Jorissen. However, the Pirates answered right back with three runs of their own in the bottom half, tying the game at 3-3.

After Palomar took a 4-3 lead in the second inning, Orange Coast again responded, scoring twice in the bottom half to move ahead 5-4. The Pirates extended their lead to 6-4 in the fifth, but that was the last time they would have the upper hand, as the Comets' bats erupted down the stretch.

Palomar took control in the sixth inning, tying the game on Jorissen's sacrifice fly before Drake Cobb delivered an RBI single to put the Comets in front. Hunter Stencil followed with a run-scoring single, giving Palomar a 7-6 advantage.

The Comets kept their foot on the gas, adding two more runs in the seventh on Cobb's two-run double, followed by an unearned run in the eighth. Then, in the ninth, Palomar put the game away with a six-run explosion. Adrian Macias' two-run single and RBI hits from AJ Klubeck and Justin Tucker highlighted the offensive outburst.

Palomar finished the game with 14 hits and took full advantage of six Orange Coast errors. Tucker continued his strong start to the season, going 2-for-6 with four runs scored and an RBI. Cobb drove in three runs on two hits, while Klubeck also added three hits, an RBI, and three runs scored. Macias and Jorissen each tallied two RBIs as well.

The Comets' bullpen was equally impressive. Lucas Smith (2-0) earned the win with three dominant innings of relief, striking out five while allowing just one run. Tait Karlson followed with two shutout innings, and Michael Getzinger closed out the game with two innings of work.

With the victory, Palomar improves to 3-1 on the young season. The Comets will look to keep the momentum rolling as they travel to Fullerton College on Friday before hosting the Hornets on Saturday.