Palomar Rolls Past Fullerton in Series Opener, 10-3

FULLERTON, CA (1/31/2025) – The Palomar College baseball team continued its strong start to the season, delivering a well-rounded performance in a 10-3 road victory over Fullerton College on Friday afternoon. The Comets improved to 4-1 on the season with the dominant win, setting the stage for the home finale of the two-game series against the Hornets on Saturday.

Palomar's offense was steady throughout the game, striking early and capitalizing on Fullerton's mistakes. The Comets opened the scoring in the second inning when Joshua Pinnell crossed the plate on an infield throwing error. In the third, AJ Klubeck provided some instant offense, launching a solo home run to right field to make it 2-0. Later in the inning, Pinnell came through with an RBI single, scoring Carter Jorissen and extending the lead to 3-0.

Fullerton clawed back in the fourth inning, scoring two runs—one on a balk and another on a Palomar throwing error—to cut the lead to 3-2. However, Palomar immediately responded in the fifth when Adrian Macias laced an RBI single to drive in Drake Cobb, pushing the lead to 4-2.

After the Hornets trimmed the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth, Palomar broke the game open with a four-run eighth inning. Jorissen started the rally with an RBI single, followed by a wild pitch that allowed Klubeck to score. Pinnell then delivered the big blow, ripping a two-run double down the left-field line to give Palomar a commanding 9-3 advantage. The Comets tacked on one more insurance run in the ninth when Macias drove in Braeden Cheeck with a single to left.

Pinnell led the offensive charge, finishing 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs. Klubeck added a home run, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Jorissen went 2-for-4 with three runs and an RBI. Macias contributed two hits and two RBIs in another balanced effort from the Palomar lineup.

On the mound, the Comets' pitching staff was sharp once again. Starter Ian Mowad worked four solid innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out five. Jacob Imoto followed with two innings of relief, surrendering one unearned run, and Joey Halter (1-0) shut the door with three dominant innings, striking out five while allowing just one hit to earn the win.

With the win, Palomar looks to complete the series sweep when they host Fullerton on Saturday.