Comets Rally Past Chargers, Force Game 3 in Regional Finals

CYPRESS, CA (5/17/2025) -- With their season on the line, the Palomar College baseball team showed its resilience, storming back from a five-run deficit to defeat Cypress College 7-6 on Saturday and force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the CCCAA Regional Finals.

Down 5-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Comets' bats came alive just in time. TK Madera jumpstarted the rally with a two-run home run to deep right, cutting the lead to three. A few batters later, Braedon Peterson-Cheek laced a two-run double into the gap to tie the game at 5-5, igniting the Palomar dugout.

In the eighth, the Comets completed the comeback. After Carter Jorissen reached and TK Madera walked, Adrian Macias reached on an error by the second baseman, but it was enough for Jorissen and Madera to score . Peterson-Cheek added a third RBI on the day with a sacrifice fly, giving Palomar a 7-5 lead.

Peterson-Cheek finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Madera added two runs and two RBIs. Jordan Treadwell also chipped in with two hits.

On the mound, Ian Mowad gave Palomar 5.2 gritty innings, allowing four runs (two earned) with five strikeouts. Michael Getzinger, Joey Halter, and Mason Garris combined to finish the game, with Garris tossing the final two frames and securing the win.

Now 36-12 on the season, Palomar will face Cypress once more in a decisive Game 3 on Sunday at noon. The winner earns a trip to the 3C2A State Final Four.